hackathon
noun
hack·a·thon
ˈha-kə-ˌthän 
plural hackathons
: an event in which computer programmers collaborate intensively with one another and sometimes with people in other specialties over a relatively short period of time to create code usually for a new software product or service
The goal of a hackathon is to create a prototype of an idea in record time—often over a single weekend. For the ambitious software developer, that usually means no rest or leafy greens.—
Kristen V. Brown
Kristen V. BrownIt's a hackathon—a contest to pitch, program, and present a functioning Android mobile application in 48 hours.—Steven Leckart
Steven LeckartExamples of hackathon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Amazon, Microsoft and Oracle also run on-site AI training and hackathons.
—Alena Conley, USA Today, 4 June 2026
The program’s third cohort will soon commence a four-day hackathon with $20k in prizes up for grabs, followed by a Build Week in Seoul, a three-month virtual program, and a San Francisco Demo Day.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
The hackathon also highlighted how AI can enhance—not replace—employees’ expertise.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 3 Apr. 2026
To make that leap, Cortical Labs organized a hackathon with Stanford University.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hackathon
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alena Conley, USA Today, 4 June 2026
The program’s third cohort will soon commence a four-day hackathon with $20k in prizes up for grabs, followed by a Build Week in Seoul, a three-month virtual program, and a San Francisco Demo Day.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
The hackathon also highlighted how AI can enhance—not replace—employees’ expertise.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 3 Apr. 2026
To make that leap, Cortical Labs organized a hackathon with Stanford University.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hackathon
Cite this Entry
“Hackathon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hackathon. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
