an athletic contest consisting of five different events: horse riding with jumps, fencing with electric épée, freestyle swimming, pistol shooting, and cross-country running
modern pentathlon in American English
noun
an athletic contest comprising five different events, a 300-meter freestyle swim, a 4000-meter cross-country run, a 5000-meter equestrian steeplechase, épée fencing, and pistol target-shooting at 25 meters, the winner being the contestant with the highest total score
Also called: military pentathlon, pentathlon
Word origin
[1940–45]This word is first recorded in the period 1940–45. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: airlift, blockbuster, redline, snorkel, update
Examples of 'modern pentathlon' in a sentence
modern pentathlon
It had been widely assumed that modern pentathlon was most at risk.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
And the word is getting out that modern pentathlon is vulnerable.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
From this swashbuckling storyline modern pentathlon was born 100 years ago.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Two years ago, they were celebrating their first world champion in modern pentathlon.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But right now, memories of the modern pentathlon have more meaning for me, and the multimillion-pound manoeuvrings seem merely grotesque.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This is the body that doles out millions to fencing, archery, skeleton, modern pentathlon, bobsleigh, equestrianism and other sports that fit nobody's idea of mainstream.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It's the same with rowing, canoeing, gymnastics, weightlifting, fencing, modern pentathlon, all the equestrian sports.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Some are even being considered for the modern pentathlon - which would require them to learn showjumping and fencing.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
For example, diving, swimming, synchronised swimming and modern pentathlon swimming all have differentsets of scoring and timing requirements.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The 2012 modern pentathlon silver medallist will be involved in fencing qualifying action before the main competition begins tomorrow.