Lexical Definition

‎ἀθλέω‎ athléō (ath-leh'-o) to compete ^G:V
from (a contest in the public lists)

strive.

• to contend in the competitive games

Abbott-Smith

* ἀθλέω, -ῶ (in cl. also ἀθλεύω, < ἆθλος, a contest, in war or in sport),
to contend in games, wrestle, combat: II Ti 2:5.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

ἀθλέω-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 {ἀθλέωεύω}, used by [Refs 8th c.BC+]aorist participle, Λαομέδοντι.. ἀθλέωήσαντε having contended with him, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; πολλάπερ ἀθλέωήσαντα having gone through many struggles, [Refs]; contend in battle, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἤθλησα κινδυνεύματα have engaged in perilous struggles, [ἀθλέωήσας πόνον 5th c.BC: Euripides Tragicus “Supplices” 317; ἀ. τῷ σώματι 4th c.BC: Aeschines Orator 2.147. ">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+]