discus

[dis-kuhs]

noun

plural

discuses, disci 

1. a circular disk more than 7 inches (18 centimeters) in diameter and 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) in weight, usually wooden with a metal rim and thicker in the center than at the edge, for throwing for distance in athletic competition.

2. the sport of throwing this disk for distance.

discus

/ ˈdɪskəs /

noun

1. (originally) a circular stone or plate used in throwing competitions by the ancient Greeks

2. athletics

   1. a similar disc-shaped object with a heavy middle thrown by athletes

   2. ( as modifier )

      a discus thrower

3. the event or sport of throwing the discus

4. a South American cichlid fish, Symphysodon discus, that has a compressed coloured body and is a popular aquarium fish

Word History and Origins

Origin of discus¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin, from Greek dískos “a quoit, discus, disk,” derivative of diskeîn “to throw”

Word History and Origins

Origin of discus¹

C17: from Latin, from Greek diskos from dikein to throw

Example Sentences

“In discus, you have to learn technique. It helps with footwork and the mental aspect. Wrestling is footwork and hand placement and overall knowledge of where your body is and where your feet are.”

From Los Angeles Times

Last weekend, she won the Southern Section Division 3 shotput and discus titles.

From Los Angeles Times

Getting stronger in the weight room, eating right and continuing to improve his athleticism have created plenty of opportunities for Javorsky, who also is a heavyweight wrestler and competes in the shotput and discus.

From Los Angeles Times

He has also been accused of a health and safety at work offence, relating to supervising the provision of discus and shot put cages in the period between October 2012 and July 2017.

From BBC

The United Arab Emirates thrower had been set to compete in the F34 shot put, discus and javelin events.

From BBC

Related Words

• disc 
• plate 
• platter 

When To Use

What does discus mean?

A discus is the disk used in the track-and-field event known as discus or the discus throw—in which athletes compete to throw it as far as they can.The plural can be discuses or disci (which follows the same pluralization pattern found in other Latin-derived words, like alumnus and its plural, alumni).In competition, men typically use discuses that have a diameter of about 8.6 inches (22 cm) and weigh about 4.4 pounds (2 kg), while those used by women have a diameter of about 7 inches (18 cm) and weigh about 2.2 pounds (1 kg). They are usually made of wood with a metal rim.Discus is one of the “field” events in track and field, which also include other events in which objects are thrown as far as possible, namely shot put and javelin. All three are events in the summer Olympic Games (the Summer Games) and are also events in the modern decathlon. Discus was one of the events in the ancient Greek Olympic Games.Example: Discus is one of my favorite track-and-field events because it was part of the ancient Olympic Games.