steeplechase
noun
stee·ple·chase
ˈstē-pəl-ˌchās 
1
a
: a horse race across country
b
: a horse race over a closed course with obstacles (such as hedges and walls)
2
: a footrace of usually 3000 meters over hurdles and a water jump
Examples of steeplechase in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sean Nevin The men's steeplechase is one of the Olympics' most eye-catching track and field events.
—
NBC News, 8 Aug. 2024
The water jump is unique to the steeplechase: A sloping, 2-foot-deep water pool lies behind one of the barriers.
—NBC News, 8 Aug. 2024
Annual events, such as The Virginia Fall Races’ steeplechase in the spring and the Theodora A. Randolph Field Hunter Championship in autumn, bring equestrians, trailers of horses, and thousands of spectators to town.
—Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2024
The women’s program didn’t include the 3,000-meter steeplechase, an obstacle race, until 2008.
—Maggie Mertens, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for steeplechase 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
NBC News, 8 Aug. 2024
The water jump is unique to the steeplechase: A sloping, 2-foot-deep water pool lies behind one of the barriers.
—NBC News, 8 Aug. 2024
Annual events, such as The Virginia Fall Races’ steeplechase in the spring and the Theodora A. Randolph Field Hunter Championship in autumn, bring equestrians, trailers of horses, and thousands of spectators to town.
—Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2024
The women’s program didn’t include the 3,000-meter steeplechase, an obstacle race, until 2008.
—Maggie Mertens, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for steeplechase
Dictionary Entries Near steeplechase
Cite this Entry
“Steeplechase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steeplechase. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
steeplechase
noun
stee·ple·chase
ˈstē-pəl-ˌchās
1
a
: a race over the countryside on horses
b
: a horse race on a special course with obstacles (as hedges and walls)
2
: a footrace of usually 3,000 meters over hurdles and a water jump
Etymology
so called from the fact that originally the races were across the countryside in a direct line toward a distant church steeple sighted rising above the other buildings
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share