noun

hackathon

/ˈhækəˌθɑːn/ · say it: HAK·uh·thon

an event where teams build software in a short sprint

In more detail

1. (noun) a competitive event where people work together in teams for a short period (usually one or two days) to create new software, apps, or digital solutions

2. (noun) more generally, any similar event where people collaborate intensively to solve problems or create projects in a specific field

Examples

1. She won first prize at the hackathon for developing a mobile app that helps elderly people track their medications.
2. The company organized a hackathon to encourage employees to come up with innovative ideas for new products.

How to use hackathon

Hackathon typically refers to intensive, time-bounded collaborative events in tech and innovation contexts, ranging from casual meetups to competitive professional competitions. It conveys a sense of urgency, creativity, and teamwork compressed into a short timeframe, and is widely used in tech industry, startups, and educational settings.

Common phrases

participate in a hackathon
win a hackathon
organize a hackathon
hackathon winner
hackathon project
24-hour hackathon

Synonyms

coding marathon · sprint · jam session · innovation challenge · build-a-thon

Word family

hackathoner (noun, informal)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes assume hackathon is limited strictly to programming or coding, when in modern usage it extends to other fields like healthcare, design, or business problem-solving.

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