athlete

noun

ath·​lete ˈath-ˌlēt 

nonstandard

ˈa-thə-ˌlēt 

1

: a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina

2

: an animal (such as a horse or a dog) that competes in races or other sporting events or has qualities (such as stamina and agility) suggestive of a human athlete

Hospice working dogs were wiry, muscular, agile, yellowish-tan or brown athletes with unexaggerated heads …

—Deborah Lawson

Examples of athlete in a Sentence

Athletes from around the world will be competing at the Olympics.

She was quite an athlete as a child.

Recent Examples on the Web

That investigation found Strauss abused at least 177 male athletes, according to the university. —J.d. Davidson | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Dec. 2024

The first-year director of sports performance is a culture-setting strength coach, mad sports scientist and vocal advocate for her athletes. —Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024

In March of this year, sources reported that the Biden administration was holding off on officially finalizing that rule change until after the election since the issue of trans athletes was considered too controversial. —James Factora, Them, 23 Dec. 2024

The athletes had never been better or more skilled. —Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin athleta, from Greek athlētēs, from athlein to contend for a prize, from athlon prize, contest

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing athlete

• athlete's foot

Kids Definition

athlete

noun

ath·​lete ˈath-ˌlēt 

: a person who is trained in or good at games and exercises that require physical skill, endurance, and strength