marathon
A long-distance running race with an official distance of 42.195 kilometers (26.2 miles). Figuratively, it refers to any activity or task that lasts a long time and requires a great deal of physical or mental endurance.
A marathon is a test of long-term stamina rather than short-term speed.
Palabra en 30 segundos
- A 26.2-mile (42.195 km) long-distance running race.
- Any long, difficult task requiring great endurance and patience.
- Commonly used to describe long sessions of movies or meetings.
Summary
A marathon is a test of long-term stamina rather than short-term speed.
- A 26.2-mile (42.195 km) long-distance running race.
- Any long, difficult task requiring great endurance and patience.
- Commonly used to describe long sessions of movies or meetings.
Focus on the idea of endurance
Use 'marathon' when you want to emphasize that something was long and required a lot of energy to finish.
Don't confuse with a sprint
Never use 'marathon' for a short, fast task; that is a 'sprint' or a 'dash'.
Major City Marathons
Many world-famous cities like New York, Tokyo, and Berlin host annual marathons that attract thousands of international runners.
Ejemplos
4 de 4He is training hard to run his first marathon this October.
The committee reached a decision after a marathon eight-hour meeting.
We had a Star Wars marathon and watched all nine movies in two days.
The transition to renewable energy is a marathon, not a sprint.
Familia de palabras
Truco para recordar
Think of the word 'More' + 'than' a normal race. A marathon is 'more than' what most people can run easily.
Overview
The word 'marathon' originates from the Greek legend of Pheidippides, a messenger who ran from the site of the Battle of Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory over the Persians. In modern language, it has transitioned from a strictly athletic term to a common metaphor for any grueling, long-term effort. It represents the ultimate test of stamina and persistence.
Usage Patterns
'Marathon' is most frequently used as a countable noun, as in 'running a marathon.' However, it is very commonly used as an attributive noun (acting like an adjective) to modify other nouns. Examples include 'marathon meeting,' 'marathon session,' or 'marathon negotiation.' In these cases, it emphasizes that the event was unusually long and exhausting.
Common Contexts
In sports, it refers to the specific 26.2-mile race found in the Olympics and major city events like the Boston or London Marathons. In entertainment, a 'movie marathon' or 'TV marathon' involves watching many episodes or films in a single sitting. In business, it describes long, drawn-out processes that require patience, such as 'marathon budget talks.'
Similar Words Comparison
Unlike a 'sprint,' which focuses on maximum speed over a very short distance, a marathon focuses on pacing and endurance. While 'race' is a general term for any competition of speed, a marathon specifically implies a long-distance challenge. Compared to 'endurance,' which is a quality or state of being, a marathon is the specific event or task that tests that quality.
Notas de uso
In a sports context, 'marathon' is quite formal and specific to the 26.2-mile distance. In everyday conversation, it is often used figuratively to complain about or describe something that felt excessively long.
Errores comunes
A common mistake is calling any long run a 'marathon.' Technically, if it is not 26.2 miles, it is just a 'long-distance run.' Also, avoid using it for things that are difficult but short.
Truco para recordar
Think of the word 'More' + 'than' a normal race. A marathon is 'more than' what most people can run easily.
Origen de la palabra
Derived from the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. Legend says a Greek soldier ran from Marathon to Athens to deliver news of a victory and died immediately after.
Contexto cultural
The marathon is the traditional closing event of the Summer Olympics. It is seen globally as a symbol of human perseverance and the ability to overcome physical limits.
Ejemplos
He is training hard to run his first marathon this October.
everydayThe committee reached a decision after a marathon eight-hour meeting.
formalWe had a Star Wars marathon and watched all nine movies in two days.
informalThe transition to renewable energy is a marathon, not a sprint.
academicFamilia de palabras
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
movie marathon
it's a marathon, not a sprint
Se confunde a menudo con
A sprint is a short, high-speed race, whereas a marathon is a long-distance race requiring endurance.
A triathlon consists of swimming, cycling, and running, while a marathon is strictly a running race.
Patrones gramaticales
Focus on the idea of endurance
Use 'marathon' when you want to emphasize that something was long and required a lot of energy to finish.
Don't confuse with a sprint
Never use 'marathon' for a short, fast task; that is a 'sprint' or a 'dash'.
Major City Marathons
Many world-famous cities like New York, Tokyo, and Berlin host annual marathons that attract thousands of international runners.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence with the correct usage of the word.
After a ten-hour ___ session, the two companies finally signed the contract.
A ten-hour session is very long and requires endurance, making 'marathon' the appropriate choice.
What does 'marathon' mean in the context of a 'TV marathon'?
I spent the weekend doing a Harry Potter marathon.
A 'TV' or 'movie' marathon refers to watching content for an extended period.
Reorder the words to create a logical sentence.
training / months / for / she / spent / her / marathon / first
This follows the standard Subject-Verb-Object-Prepositional Phrase structure.
Puntuación: /3
Preguntas frecuentes
4 preguntasA standard marathon is exactly 26.2 miles or 42.195 kilometers long.
While not a standard verb, people sometimes use it informally (e.g., 'I marathon-watched the series'), but it is usually used as a noun.
It is an event where someone watches a series of movies back-to-back for many hours.
Yes, a marathon is only running, while a triathlon involves swimming, cycling, and running.
