javelin

noun

jav·​e·​lin

ˈjav-lən,

ˈja-və- 

1

: a light spear thrown as a weapon of war or in hunting

2

a

: a slender usually metal shaft at least 260 centimeters long that is thrown for distance in an athletic field event

b

or javelin throw : an athletic field event in which a javelin is thrown for distance

won the gold medal in the javelin

… Serene Ross, who set her second American record in three weeks in the javelin throw in winning at 197 feet.

—Frank Litsky

Synonyms

• lance
• pike
• pikestaff
• shaft
• spear

Examples of javelin in a Sentence

from atop his horse the warrior hurled a javelin that pierced the chest of his hapless foe

Recent Examples on the Web

The 77-year-old was greeted there that March day by the usual crew training for the Golden Age Games: There was Roger, 82, who had piled up medals in javelin, discus and shot put. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 15 June 2024

Trey Young, Javelin, McArthur senior: School-record holder in javelin, finished fourth at state with a personal-best throw (178-10); hit a PR in almost every meet this season; other PRs included 50-5 ¼ (shot) and 139-5 (discus); wrestled; committed to St. Thomas University in Miami. —Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 13 June 2024

The current javelin throw record is 98.48 meters, and a golden eagle can reach 320 km/h in a dive, so neither of those seems consistent with heavy armor. —Jacek Krywko, Ars Technica, 30 May 2024

Somewhere between winning a gold medal, having surgery and going to the beach, Olga wandered into an equipment shed used by the discus, shot put, javelin and hammer competitors. —Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English chafeveleyn, from Middle French javeline, alteration of javelot, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish gabul forked stick

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing javelin

• javelin throw
• the javelin

Kids Definition

javelin

noun

jav·​e·​lin ˈjav-(ə-)lən 

1

: a light spear

2

: a slender usually metal shaft that is thrown for distance in a track-and-field event