athletics
[ath-
let
-iks]
/æθˈlɛt ɪks/
noun
1.
(
usually used with a plural verb
)
athletic
sports, as running, rowing, or boxing.
2.
British.
track-and-field events.
3.
(
usually used with a singular verb
) the practice of
athletic
exercises; the principles of
athletic
training.
Origin
1595-1605;
see
athletic
,
-ics
Pronunciation note
See
athlete
.
Examples from the web for
athletics
Moreover, to mis-estimate
athletics
is equally bad whether their importance is magnified or minimized.
Similar examples of peculiar rituals and regimented routines in
athletics
abound.
Gene therapy, say a host of researchers, three of whom call for more oversight of the technique's use in
athletics
.
It has led press coverage of health concerns in all levels of
athletics
.
Many regard amateur
athletics
as more pure than professional
athletics
, though obviously this can be argued both ways.
Already we're seeing
athletics
tainted by medications that can improve performance while imposing nasty side effects.
For now, the main risk has to the potential for cheating in
athletics
tournaments.
But according to a common criticism of modern sport, these same developments have destroyed the value of
athletics
.
For intercollegiate
athletics
, he offers a beguiling defense.
The game itself was hardly a display of stellar
athletics
.
British Dictionary definitions for
athletics
athletics
/
æθˈlɛtɪks
/
noun
(
functioning as pl or singular
)
1.
track and field events
(
as modifier
):
an athletics meeting
2.
sports or exercises engaged in by athletes
3.
the theory or practice of athletic activities and training
Word Origin and History for
athletics
n.
c.1730, from
athletic
; also see
-ics
. Probably formed on model of
gymnastics
.