steeplechase
/ˈstiːpəltʃeɪs/ noun, verb
Forms steeplechases steeplechasing steeplechased
- noun (chiefly UK, equestrianism) A horse race, either across open country, or over an obstacle course.
- noun (athletics) An athletics event in which the runners have to run 3000 metres round a track, jumping hurdles and a water obstacle along the way.
- verb To take part in a steeplechase event.
Etymology
Compound of steeple + chase, from horse races in 18th century Ireland in which orientation of the course was by reference to a church steeple.
Sources: Wiktionary — from the Wiktionary entry “steeplechase”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details