Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

steeplechase

/ˈstiːpəltʃeɪs/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.59 in modern English

Syllables
steeple-chase
IPA
/ˈstiːpəltʃeɪs/
19
Scrabble Score
12
Letters
3
Syllables
8
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A horse race, either across open country, or over an obstacle course.

British usage

noun

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.

Word Breakdown

Usage

Inflected Forms

steeplechases (plural) steeplechases (present, singular) steeplechasing (participle, present) steeplechased (participle, past) steeplechased (past)

Derived Forms

steeplechaser

Phrases

Grand National

Frequently Paired Words

Grand National

Questions

How do you pronounce steeplechase?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈstiːpəltʃeɪs/.
What does steeplechase mean?
A horse race, either across open country, or over an obstacle course.
Where does steeplechase come from?
Compound of steeple + chase, from horse races in 18th century Ireland in which orientation of the course was by reference to a church steeple.

How to pronounce steeplechase

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “steeplechase”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈstiːpəltʃeɪs/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “steeplechase”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “steeplechase” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.