# athletics

/æθˈɫɛtɪks/ (US) · /æθlˈɛtɪks/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/athletics
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. track and field

noun · CEFR A2 · British English

sports such as running, jumping, and throwing that people compete in on a track or in a field.

For teachers: the collective term for competitive sports involving running, jumping, and throwing events.

- She joined the school athletics club to improve her sprinting speed.
- The national athletics championships will feature elite competitors in the decathlon, high jump, and various middle-distance running events.

Usage: Treated as a singular noun despite the 's' ending when referring to the sport as a whole.

### 2. sports in general

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

physical activities, games, and sports that require strength and skill.

For teachers: physical activities and competitive sports requiring physical power, agility, or stamina.

- The university is famous for its high standards in both academics and athletics.
- The director of athletics oversaw the funding and scheduling for all varsity sports teams across the campus.

Usage: Often used in educational contexts to describe the entire sports programme of a school or college.

## Examples

- She joined the school athletics team to practice sprinting.
- The city built a new stadium to host the national athletics championships next summer.
- While the curriculum emphasizes team sports like football, the school also maintains a strong tradition in athletics, particularly in long-distance running and the high jump.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.