French word

marathon

Pronunciation

IPA/maʁatɔ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounmarathon

Example

Elle a terminé le marathon hier.

She finished the marathon yesterday.

Illustration for marathon (marathon)

More examples

Il prépare un marathon depuis six mois.

He has been preparing for a marathon for six months.

Core concept

A long road race in which endurance carries a runner across roughly forty-two kilometres to the finish.

Common phrases

  • faire un marathon

    run a marathon

  • courir un marathon

    run a marathon

  • s'inscrire à un marathon

    register for a marathon

Similar words

course: A race along a defined route where participants compete for speed or rank.
course à pied: Running as a physical activity or sport.
compétition: A sports contest in which participants compete to win or achieve records.
événement: A public gathering or occasion involving many participants.

Definition in French

Course d'endurance sur route consistant à parcourir une très longue distance, généralement autour de quarante-deux kilomètres, jusqu'à l'arrivée.

Word origin

The modern event name derives from Marathon, the place in Greece linked to the messenger legend, and spread internationally with the revival of the Olympic Games.

Usage tips

  • French uses courir un marathon for running the race, while faire un marathon can describe taking part in or undertaking one.

Opposites

  • sprintsprintnoun

Related words

  • marathonienmarathon runnernoun
  • semi-marathonhalf marathonnoun

Word lists with this word