athlete

noun

ath·​lete ˈath-ˌlēt How to pronounce athlete (audio)
nonstandard
ˈa-thə-ˌlēt How to pronounce athlete (audio)
1
: a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina
professional athletes
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Establish a panel of coaches, athletic directors and players to determine a reasonable figure and all athletes being paid will receive that amount. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026 And from that point, Campbell’s career path as an athlete changed. — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 Five states have initiatives on the ballot to outlaw trans athletes in girls’ sports and gender transition treatment for children. — Annie Gowen, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026 Legault reported that some student-athletes were questioning whether to continue playing sports at all, with several already deciding against trying out for the upcoming women's basketball season. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for athlete

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of athlete was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing athlete

Rhymes for athlete

See All Rhymes for athlete

Browse Nearby Words

athleisure
athlete
athlete's foot
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Athlete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/athlete. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

athlete

noun
ath·​lete ˈath-ˌlēt How to pronounce athlete (audio)
: a person who is trained in or good at games and exercises that require physical skill, endurance, and strength
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