athletics

[ ath-let-iks ]

/ æθˈlɛt ɪks /

(usually used with a plural verb) athletic sports, as running, rowing, or boxing.

British. track-and-field events.

(usually used with a singular verb) the practice of athletic exercises; the principles of athletic training.

Origin of athletics

First recorded in 1595–1605; see origin at athletic, -ics

See athlete.

For thousands of kids, particularly poor kids in the South, where football is a way of life, athletics has been a road out.

Football Great Bob Suffridge Wanders Through the End Zone of Life |Paul Hemphill |September 6, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Afterwards, in the afternoon, campers pick between theater, dance, athletics, and crafts.

A Camp Away From Terror: Where Israeli and Palestinian Kids Find Common Ground |Nina Strochlic |August 4, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
That is, like all things, a matter of perspective (as well as being a question of whether one is a Giants or an Athletics fan).

New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 1913: How We Celebrated 100 Years Ago |Charles Emmerson |December 31, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
I can't help but notice that most of the people who are making this case went to schools where athletics are an afterthought.

Kevin Ware and Market Value of College Athletes |Michael Tomasky |April 2, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

Certain forms of talent we easily respect: talent at athletics, talent for entertainment.

I Was Adam Lanza, Part 3 |David Frum |December 23, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
He knew what it would mean to Langridge not to pitch—that he would be out of athletics for the rest of his college course.

The Rival Pitchers |Lester Chadwick
Then I went East and entered a great college; went in for athletics, and wore my first dress-suit.

The Princess Elopes |Harold MacGrath
Athletics, however, contains an element which is all-important—team work.

The Library of Work and Play: Guide and Index |Cheshire L. Boone
The ground was too steep for athletics; no cricket could be possible there, no lawn tennis, no quoits, no anything.

The English in the West Indies |James Anthony Froude
The worst of it is that it takes so long to become really good in any branch of athletics.

Broad-Sword and Single-Stick |R. G. Allanson-Winn

athletics

/ (æθˈlɛtɪks) /

sports or exercises engaged in by athletes

the theory or practice of athletic activities and training