Dictionary

pentathlete en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈpɛn.tæθ.lit/ (UK)

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *pénkʷe Proto-Hellenic *pénkʷe Ancient Greek πέντε (pénte) Ancient Greek πεντᾰ- (pentă-)lbor. English penta- English athlete English pentathlete From penta- + athlete.

Meanings

1. An athlete who competes in the pentathlon.
   • While the pentathletes at the Paris Games are indeed riding horses over a series of jumps as part of the event, they will face an entirely different fifth discipline when they get to Los Angeles in 2028: a race the organizers are calling a “‘Ninja Warrior’-style obstacle course.” 2024 August 10, Sarah Lyall, “Dear Pentathletes: Enjoy Your Last Ride. Get Ready for the Obstacle Course.”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 07 Dec 2025:
   • In Tokyo, that led to accusations of abuse after a German pentathlete and medal contender, Annika Schleu, was assigned a stubborn horse that refused to jump at all. 2021 November 3, Victor Mather, “Modern Pentathlon Drops Equestrian Competition After Abuse Claims”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 05 Nov 2025:

Forms

Translations (26)

pl wieloboista (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · da femkæmper (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · cs pětibojař (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · ro pentatlonist (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · uk п'ятибо́рець (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · mk петобојка (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · hu öttusázó (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · uk п'ятибо́рка (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · sv femkampare (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · ca pentatleta (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · de Fünfkämpfer (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · pt pentatleta (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · fr pentathlonienne (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · es pentatleta (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · fi viisiottelija (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · pl pięcioboista (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · el πενταθλήτρια (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · pl pięcioboistka (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · pl wieloboistka (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · it pentatleta (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · ro pentatlonistă (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · de Fünfkämpferin (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · fr pentathlonien (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · el πενταθλητής (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · ru пятибо́рец (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon) · mk петобоец (An athlete who competes in the pentathlon)