English - Etymology
From Ancient Greek ἀθλητής (athlētḗs), from ἀθλέω (athléō, “compete for a prize”), from ἆθλον (âthlon, “prize”) or ἆθλος (âthlos, “competition”).
English - Noun
- A participant in a group of sporting activities which includes track and field, road running, cross country running and racewalking.
- (US, Canada) A person who actively participates in physical sports, possibly highly skilled in sports. (Known in British English as a "sportsperson".)
- An exceptionally physically fit person.