MARATHON


Meaning of MARATHON in English

I. mar ‧ a ‧ thon 1 /ˈmærəθ ə n $ -θɑːn/ BrE AmE noun [countable]

[ Date: 1800-1900 ; Origin: Marathon , place in Greece; from the story that in 490BC a Greek soldier ran about 25 miles from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens, to bring news of the Athenian victory over the Persians ]

1 . a long race of about 26 miles or 42 kilometres:

the Boston Marathon

Garcia ran the marathon in just under three hours.

2 . an activity that continues for a long time and needs a lot of energy, patience, or determination:

We finished the job but it was quite a marathon.

II. marathon 2 BrE AmE adjective [only before noun]

a marathon event continues for a long time and needs a lot of energy, patience, or determination:

a marathon round of negotiations

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THESAURUS

▪ long continuing for a long time:

The film was very long.

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There has been a long period without rain.

▪ lengthy continuing for a long time, especially longer than you want or expect:

Drivers face lengthy delays on all roads out of the city.

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Police are going through the lengthy process of re-examining all the evidence.

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He faces a lengthy prison sentence.

▪ long-running [only before noun] continuing for a long time - used especially about disputes, campaigns, or shows:

He has been involved in a long-running dispute with his neighbour.

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The programme is one of the longest-running series on television.

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a long-running campaign to prevent the airport from being built

▪ long-lasting continuing for a long time – used especially about effects or relationships:

Stress can have long-lasting effects.

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While at the school, she made many long-lasting friendships.

▪ protracted formal continuing for a long time, especially an unusually long time:

Despite protracted negotiations, they were unable to reach an agreement.

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The couple have been involved in a protracted battle for custody of their children.

▪ prolonged continuing for a long time, especially longer than expected, or longer in a way that makes a situation worse:

He returned to work after a prolonged absence.

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Studies have linked prolonged use of the drug to cancer.

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a prolonged period of economic decline

▪ extended [only before noun] continuing for a long time - used especially about visits, trips, breaks etc that last longer than was planned:

an extended stay in hospital

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He took an extended break from work after his father died.

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She didn’t like being away from home for extended periods.

▪ lasting [only before noun] strong enough or great enough to continue for a long time:

The negotiations were aimed at achieving a lasting peace.

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This affair has done lasting damage to the President’s credibility.

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The book left a lasting impression on me.

▪ enduring continuing for a long time – used especially about memories, influences, or feelings of liking someone or something:

One of my most enduring memories is of going on holiday to France with my parents.

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the enduring appeal of Conan Doyle's stories

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his enduring love for Ireland

▪ marathon [only before noun] continuing for a very long time and needing a lot of energy, patience, or determination:

It was a marathon session of talks which continued until 3 am.

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He arrived after a marathon journey across Europe.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.