sportsmanship

noun

sports·​man·​ship ˈspȯrts-mən-ˌship How to pronounce sportsmanship (audio)
: conduct (such as fairness, respect for one's opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing) becoming to one participating in a sport

Examples of sportsmanship in a Sentence

He's a great player who's also admired for his sportsmanship.
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.
However, my role is to uphold the integrity of high school athletics by ensuring that all participants adhere to the same rules and are held to the same standards of sportsmanship and safety. Scott Thompson, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2025 In this challenge, Lete chose to coach her team from a place of integrity and sportsmanship and as a result, wound up winning — despite her team finishing with one case less than CK’s team. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 19 Feb. 2025 Those remarks, the NBPA will assert, are consistent with Butler exhibiting loyalty and sportsmanship. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Jan. 2025 The same players refusing to step on the badge in the name of sportsmanship will, two hours later, be throwing themselves to the floor clutching their face in an attempt to get an opponent sent off and aiming a tirade of profanities at the referee. Ali Rampling, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sportsmanship

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sportsmanship was in 1897

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sportsmanship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sportsmanship. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

sportsmanship

noun
sports·​man·​ship ˈspō(ə)rt-smən-ˌship How to pronounce sportsmanship (audio)
ˈspȯ(ə)rt-
: fair play, respect for opponents, and gracious behavior in winning or losing

More from Merriam-Webster on sportsmanship

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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