athlete
noun
ath·lete
ˈath-ˌlēt 
nonstandard
ˈa-thə-ˌlēt
1
: a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina
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
Deborah LawsonExamples 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
The athlete was training to compete in this year's Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, which are being held in Indonesia, and was projected to qualify for the next Summer Olympic Games in 2028 in Los Angeles.
—Victoria Beaule, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2025
Mizzou hopes to support student-athletes in building confidence and knowledge of their short and long-term financial goals, the release said.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
His legal practice primarily focuses on sports injuries, workers’ comp, and disability benefits, according to his law firm — areas close to home for a former athlete.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Alcindor sat beside Brown, Ali, and Bill Russell as the athletes joined together in a historic show of solidarity for Ali.
—Jeff Chang
september 25, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for athlete
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Victoria Beaule, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2025
Mizzou hopes to support student-athletes in building confidence and knowledge of their short and long-term financial goals, the release said.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
His legal practice primarily focuses on sports injuries, workers’ comp, and disability benefits, according to his law firm — areas close to home for a former athlete.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Alcindor sat beside Brown, Ali, and Bill Russell as the athletes joined together in a historic show of solidarity for Ali.
—Jeff Chang
september 25, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for athlete
Cite this Entry
“Athlete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/athlete. Accessed 26 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
athlete
noun
ath·lete
ˈath-ˌlēt
: a person who is trained in or good at games and exercises that require physical skill, endurance, and strength
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