an athletic contest in which each contestant takes part in five events (long jump, javelin throw, 200-meter dash, discus throw, and 1,500-meter run)
in the Olympic games, a contest consisting of five events (5,000-meter cross-country horseback ride, 4,000-meter cross-country run, 300-meter swim, foil fencing, and pistol shooting)
Origin:
Gr pentathlon < penta-, five + athlon, a prize, contest
See pentathlon in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
A modern athletic contest, now generally limited to women's competition, in which each participant competes in five track and field events, usually the 200-meter and 1,500-meter runs, the long jump, and the discus and javelin throws.