marathon
noun
mar·a·thon
ˈmer-ə-ˌthän 
ˈma-rə-
often attributive
1
: a footrace run on an open course usually of 26 miles 385 yards (42.2 kilometers)
broadly
: a long-distance race
2
a
: an endurance contest
b
: something (such as an event, activity, or session) characterized by great length or concentrated effort
Examples of marathon in a Sentence
We watched a marathon of our favorite movies.
Recent Examples on the Web
The New York Road Runners, organizers of the marathon, disqualified him from the race, and also banned him from any of its future events.
—
Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 9 Nov. 2024
On November 3, New York City saw more than 55,000 runners participate in the marathon, cheered on by over 2 million spectators.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Lastly, Nike Running hosted several events during marathon weekend in New York City.
—Essence, 4 Nov. 2024
Preston is keeping the 118-year old company close to its performance running shoe roots, partly through sponsorships of the New York City and London marathons.
—Ayesha Javed, TIME, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for marathon 
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Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 9 Nov. 2024
On November 3, New York City saw more than 55,000 runners participate in the marathon, cheered on by over 2 million spectators.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Lastly, Nike Running hosted several events during marathon weekend in New York City.
—Essence, 4 Nov. 2024
Preston is keeping the 118-year old company close to its performance running shoe roots, partly through sponsorships of the New York City and London marathons.
—Ayesha Javed, TIME, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for marathon
Dictionary Entries Near marathon
Cite this Entry
“Marathon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marathon. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
marathon
noun
mar·a·thon
ˈmar-ə-ˌthän
1
a
: a long-distance footrace of 26 miles 385 yards (42.2 kilometers) that is run on an open course
b
: a race other than a footrace (as for swimmers) marked especially by great distance
2
: a long hard contest
a dance marathon
marathon
adjective
Etymology
named for Marathon, site of a battlefield in ancient Greece
Word Origin
Marathon is the name of a plain in Greece located about 26 miles (42 kilometers) from the city of Athens. It was the scene of a great victory by the Greeks over the Persians in 490 b.c. According to legend a Greek soldier named Pheidipiddes ran all the way from the battlefield to Athens to deliver the news. He reached the city, gasped out his message, and fell dead. When the modern Olympic Games began in 1896, one of the events was a footrace of 26 miles 385 yards (42.2 kilometers), called a marathon, in honor of the legendary run by Pheidipiddes.
Geographical Definition
Marathon
geographical name
Mar·a·thon
ˈmer-ə-ˌthän
ˈma-rə-
1
plain of eastern Greece in Attica northeast of Athens on the Aegean Sea
2
ancient town on the plain of Marathon
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