I. mar‧a‧thon1 /ˈmærəθ
ən $ -θɑːn/
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. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
II. marathon2 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 [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
long continuing for a long time:
The film was very long. 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. Police are going through the lengthy process of re-examining all the evidence. 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. The programme is one of the longest-running series on television. a long-running campaign to prevent the airport from being builtlong-lasting continuing for a long time – used especially about effects or relationships:
Stress can have long-lasting effects. 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. 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. Studies have linked prolonged use of the drug to cancer. a prolonged period of economic declineextended [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 He took an extended break from work after his father died. 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. This affair has done lasting damage to the President’s credibility. 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. the enduring appeal of Conan Doyle's stories his enduring love for Irelandmarathon [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. He arrived after a marathon journey across Europe.long-winded continuing for too long - used about speeches, answers, explanations etc:
a very long-winded answer to a simple question He gave a long-winded speech about the company's vision for the future.interminable very long and boring:
They faced an interminable wait in the departure lounge of the airport. The journey seemed interminable.long-drawn-out [only before noun] used about a process that continues for much too long:
The news heightened expectations that the long-drawn-out investigation might be coming to a close. [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲