a sporting event in which people compete in five different sports (running, riding, swimming, shooting and fencing 现代五项运动，五项全能运动（赛跑、骑马、游泳、射击、击剑） Word Originearly 17th cent. (denoting the original five events of leaping, running, discus-throwing, spear-throwing, and wrestling): from Greek, from pente ‘five’ + athlon ‘contest’.