/ ˈæθliːt; NAmE / noun
1.
a person who competes in sports :
Olympic athletes
2.
( BrE ) a person who competes in sports such as running and jumping
3.
a person who is good at sports and physical exercise :
She is a natural athlete.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin athleta , from Greek athlētēs , from athlein compete for a prize, from athlon prize.