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Definition of marathon noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

marathon

noun
 
 
/ˈmærəθən/
 
/ˈmærəθɑːn/
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  1.  
    a long running race of about 42 kilometres or 26 miles
    • the London marathon
    • to run a marathon
    • a marathon runner
    compare half-marathonTopics Sports: other sportsb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • full
    • half
    verb + marathon
    • prepare for
    • train for
    • compete in
    • …
    marathon + noun
    • champion
    • runner
    • running
    • …
    See full entry
  2.  
    an activity or a piece of work that lasts a long time and requires a lot of effort, concentration, etc.
    • The interview was a real marathon.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • 12-hour
    • 700-mile
    • all-night
    • …
    marathon + noun
    • journey
    • walk
    • effort
    • …
    See full entry
    3. Word OriginFrom the story that in ancient Greece a messenger ran from Marathon to Athens (22 miles) with the news of a victory over the Persians.
See marathon in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
Check pronunciation: marathon

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