tournament

noun

tour·​na·​ment ˈtu̇r-nə-mənt How to pronounce tournament (audio)
 also  ˈtər-,
 or  ˈtȯr-
1
: a series of games or contests that make up a single unit of competition (as on a professional golf tour), the championship playoffs of a league or conference, or an invitational event
2
a
: a knightly sport of the Middle Ages between mounted combatants armed with blunted lances or swords and divided into two parties contesting for a prize or favor bestowed by the lady of the tournament
b
: the whole series of knightly sports, jousts, and tilts occurring at one time and place

Examples of tournament in a Sentence

She's an excellent tennis player who has won many tournaments. a golf tournament in which professionals compete against amateurs
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.
The projections will be updated after the completion of every tournament game. Austin Mock, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2025 The team then had to fly to Spokane, Washington, for the next round of the tournament. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025 Chaz Lanier has taken over the first two games of the tournament for the Volunteers. Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025 Geno Apicella Placentia March happiness Alabama’s record-breaking three-point shooting display in its Sweet 16 victory over BYU brought back great memories of No. 11 Loyola Marymount’s 149-115 victory over defending champion and No. 3 Michigan in the 1990 NCAA tournament. Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tournament

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tornement, from Anglo-French turneiement, from turneier

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tournament was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tournament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tournament. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

tournament

noun
tour·​na·​ment ˈtu̇r-nə-mənt How to pronounce tournament (audio)
 also  ˈtər-,
 or  ˈtȯr-
1
: a contest of skill and courage between knights wearing armor and fighting with blunted lances or swords
2
: a contest or series of contests played for a championship

More from Merriam-Webster on tournament

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