The hackathon phenomenon is taking the tech world by storm. Simply defined, a hackathon is an event designed to use technology, primarily coding, to accomplish … Learn what a hackathon is, why it's trending in 2025, and how students can crack their first hackathon with expert tips, and common mistakes. The definition and meaning of a hackathon The term hackathon comes from “hack” and “marathon,” it is an event characterized by an intense burst of collaborative problem-solving, usually extending over several days. A hackathon is an event where teams or individuals solve a problem using computer programming or software in a short period of time. Learn why you should attend a hackathon , how they work, and what types of hackathons exist.