Definition

A long television show that is organized to collect money for a charity or cause.

Example

The telethon raised millions of dollars for disaster relief efforts.

Conversation

Did you hear about the upcoming telethon for the local animal shelter?

Yeah, I saw the ads! It sounds like a great event.

I think I might donate some money during the telethon.

That's awesome! Every little bit helps the animals.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Telethon → It is formed from "tele-" (from Greek "tēle", meaning far or at a distance) and "thon" (from Greek "thōn", meaning to run or to stretch). The word describes an event that runs or stretches over a distance to raise funds, typically through broadcasting.

Memory Tip

Think of 'far' ('tele-') and 'running' ('thon') to remember that a telethon is an event that runs over a distance to raise money.

Visually Confused Words