What does discus mean?
A discus is a heavy, lens-shaped disc — traditionally made of wood with a metal rim, now typically a solid metal plate — that athletes hurl for distance in one of track and field's oldest events. The word also denotes the contest itself, so one may speak of competing "in the discus" as readily as throwing a discus. Rooted in ancient Greek sport, where it formed part of the pentathlon celebrated by poets and sculptors such as Myron, the discus carries strong classical connotations of strength, balance, and rotational technique. Today it remains a standard Olympic discipline, contested by both men and women. Beyond athletics, the word appears chiefly in historical or literary discussions of antiquity. Its plural is normally "discuses," though the Latinate "disci" surfaces occasionally. For readers, the term is useful shorthand wherever throwing sports or the ancient Olympics are under discussion.
A heavy, lens-shaped disc thrown for distance in an athletic field event.
"He gripped the discus against his palm and began his spin."
In athletics contexts, "the discus" often refers to the event rather than the object.
In classical antiquity, the disc used in ancient Greek athletic contests such as the pentathlon.
"Ancient bronze discuses survive from sites across Greece, some bearing inscriptions to their owners."
The regular English plural "discuses" is standard; the Latinate form "disci" occurs rarely, mainly in classical or scholarly writing.
"Competitors were issued three different weights of discuses during the training clinic."
The discus is one of the oldest Olympic events still contested today — ancient Greeks were throwing it at Olympia over 2,700 years ago.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of discus
The word "discus" comes directly from Latin discus, meaning a quoit or round plate, which itself derives from the Greek diskos (δίσκος), referring to the disc thrown by athletes. It entered English around the early modern period through Latin scholarly usage, and became firmly established with the revival of interest in classical athletics in the nineteenth century. Related English words sharing this root include "disc" (or "disk"), "disco," and "discoid."
Usage notes
"Discus" is primarily associated with athletics (track and field) and classical antiquity. The plural is "discuses" in standard English; "disci" appears occasionally in learned or classical contexts but is rare.
Don't confuse with
A discourse is a formal discussion or speech, while a discus is a heavy disc thrown in athletics.
Discussion refers to conversation or debate about a topic; a discus is an object hurled in a sporting event.