play-by-play

adjective

ˈplā-ˌbī-ˌplā How to pronounce play-by-play (audio)
ˌplā-ˌbī-ˈplā
1
: being or giving a running commentary on a sports event
a radio play-by-play announcer
2
: relating each event as it occurs
play-by-play noun

Examples of play-by-play in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Quincy then provided a play-by-play of what’s happening on their end of the call. Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 4 Nov. 2024 Raptors play-by-play announcer Matt Devlin introduced Carter, who walked onto the court to a standing ovation, overcome with emotions. Esfandiar Baraheni, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 Just hours before Thursday’s game, Sharks radio play-by-play voice Dan Rusanowsky walked by Smith in a hallway near the San Jose locker room and wished him good luck. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024 Bob Costas is retiring from Major League Baseball play-by-play, the Syracuse alum and veteran sportscaster confirmed for The Athletic on Thursday. Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for play-by-play 

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of play-by-play was in 1927

Dictionary Entries Near play-by-play

Cite this Entry

“Play-by-play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play-by-play. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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