shot put UK /ˈʃɒtpʊt/US /ˈʃɑtpʊt/ noun3 •An athletics event where a competitor must hurl a heavy metal orb ("shot") as far as possible. Because of the weight of the ball this is done with a pushing ("putting") motion rather than a throwing motion. •A trial of shot put. •A ball used to perform the action of shot put. formsshot puts