'athletism' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'athlētēs', where 'athlein' meant 'to contend for a prize'; in English it was formed by combining 'athlete' with the suffix '-ism'.

'athletism' changed from Medieval/Latin forms such as 'athletismus' (Late Latin/Medieval Latin) derived from Latin 'athleta', itself from Greek 'athlētēs', and eventually became the modern English noun 'athletism' alongside the more common variant 'athleticism'.

Initially, it meant 'the state or condition of being an athlete', but over time it has come to be used for the broader current meaning of 'athletic skill or physical prowess'.