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Definition of hackathon

hackathon

/ˈhæk.ə.θɑːn/
hack · a · thon
Plural:hackathons
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hackathon Lexical Profile

hackathon Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An intensive, time-limited event, typically lasting from a day to a weekend, in which computer programmers, designers, and others collaborate in teams to build a functioning software or hardware prototype.

Example

"Our engineering team won first prize at the university's annual hackathon by building an app that tracks campus shuttle buses in real time."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for hackathon

Word Nuance & Usage

In this context, "hack" refers to rapid, exploratory software development and creative problem-solving rather than unauthorized security breaches or cybercrime.

• Nearby Words

hacienda
hack
hackable
hackathon
hackberry
hacker
hacking

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in June 1999 independently by the OpenBSD development community and Sun Microsystems as a portmanteau of "hack" (in the sense of exploratory programming) and "marathon."

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hackathon. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hackathon
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