Quick Definition
ἀθλέω v. I compete
Strong's Definition
from athlos (a contest in the public lists); to contend in the competitive games
KJV Usage: strive
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἀθλέω, -d; [1 aor. subjune. 3 pers. sing. ἀθλήσῃ] ; (ἄθλος a contest); to engage in a contest, contend in public games (e. g. Olympian, Pythian, Isthmian), with the poniard [?], gauntlet, quoit, in wrestling, running, or any other way: 2 Tim. ii. 5; (often in classic auth. who also use the form ἀθλεύω). [Comp.: συν-αθλέω.]
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἀθλέω athleō 2x
to strive, contend, be a champion in the public games, 2 Tim. 2:5*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
* ἀθλέω, -ῶ (in cl. also ἀθλεύω, < ἆθλος, a contest, in war or in sport), to contend in games, wrestle, combat: II Ti 2:5.†
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
ἀθλέω (athleō) — to compete. ἀθλ-έω, Ionic dialect imperfect ἀέθλεον[Refs 5th c.BC+]aorist ἤθλησα (see. below): perfect ἤθληκα[Refs 1st c.AD+]:—middle, aorist ἐνηθλησάμην[Refs 4th c.BC+]:—passive, perfect κατήθλημαι[Refs]: (ἆθλος, ἆθλον):—commoner form of {ἀθλεύω}, used by [Refs 8th c.BC+]aorist participle, Λαομέδοντι.. ἀθλήσαντε having contended with him, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; πολλάπερ ἀθλήσαντα having gone through many struggles, [Refs]; contend in battle, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἤθλησα κινδυνεύματα have engaged in perilous struggles, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
II. to be an athlete, contend in games, [Refs 4th c.BC+]
III. hold games, ἐπ᾽ Ἀρχεμόρῳ[Refs 5th c.BC+]