athletics English · revision 39464

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1738, E. Chambers, Cyclopædia|origins=grc ἀθλητής}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /æθˈlɛtɪks/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|en|athletic|-ics]],^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline) probably on the model of [[gymnastics]].^(Etymonline) The adjective goes back through [[la|āthlēticus]] to [[grc|ἀθλητικός|tr=athlētikós|t=of an athlete]], from [[m|grc|ἀθλητής|tr=athlētḗs|t=contestant in the games]].^(OED 2026)^(Klein 1966)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The practice of activities that need physical skill, strength and endurance, often in sporting competition: 1738, in the second edition of Chambers's ''Cyclopædia''.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024) Etymonline dates the word to about 1730,^(Etymonline) while Dictionary.com gives 1595–1605.^(Dictionary.com 2016)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Britain the word narrowed, from 1866, to track and field events: running, jumping and throwing.^(OED 2026)^(ODE 2010) In North America it kept the wide sense of sports and games of all kinds, so that school or ''college athletics'' covers football and basketball as well.^(OED 2026)^(ODE 2010)^(MWU 2024) It is used with either a singular or a plural verb.^(MWU 2024)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1730 – the art or practice of athletic exercises.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1738 – physical exercises and sports, in Chambers's ''Cyclopædia''.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1866 – track and field events, first in British use.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # (chiefly British) The sport of competing in [[track and field]] events such as running, jumping and throwing.^(Collins 2023)^(ODE 2010)^(OED 2026)

+ # (chiefly North American) Physical [[sport|alt=sports]], exercises and games of any kind.^(ODE 2010)^(MWU 2024)

+ # The practice of athletic activities, or the principles of [[training]] for them.^(MWU 2024)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[athlete]]

+ * [[athletic]]

+ * [[athleticism]]

+ * [[gymnastics]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}