athleticism

noun

ath·​let·​i·​cism ath-ˈle-tə-ˌsi-zəm How to pronounce athleticism (audio)
: athletic ability : the combination of qualities (such as speed, strength, and agility) that are characteristic of an athlete
These days they do standing backflips and other moves that require a high degree of athleticism—and endless practice.Cathy Booth Thomas

Examples of athleticism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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His 2024 tape showed elite ball skills with fluid athleticism and explosive closing speed. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025 Yet for all its athleticism, the Bentayga hasn’t abandoned civility. Robb Report Contributors, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2025 The Warriors have spent half a decade waiting for the breakout, treating his athleticism like a dormant volcano. Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025 Their grey hairs and perhaps softer physiques, things that many of us will be forced to reckon with over time, are juxtaposed with an athleticism that seems superhuman to someone acutely aware of how much even just sleeping wrong can hurt after a certain age. Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 21 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for athleticism

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of athleticism was circa 1835

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Cite this Entry

“Athleticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/athleticism. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

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