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

steeplechaser

ˈstē-pəl-ˌchā-sər 

noun

steeplechasing

ˈstē-pəl-ˌchā-siŋ 

noun

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

Word History

Etymology

from the use of church steeples as landmarks to guide the riders

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids 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

steeplechaser

-ˌchā-sər 

noun

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