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.
The Celtics led 74-64 at halftime, with Tatum, Brown and White combining for 60 of those points and Tatum scoring 30 himself (plus nine rebounds and seven assists – another line that’s never been matched in the play-by-play era). Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 1 Mar. 2025 Go deeper: For the play-by-play, follow our industry newsletter, Axios Crypto. Brady Dale, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025 Here’s a play-by-play of what went down off-camera at this year’s SAG Awards. Tommy McArdle, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025 Trautwig was a play-by-play announcer and studio host at MSG for Knicks, Rangers and Yankees games, working at the network for more than 30 years. David Matthews, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Play-by-play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play-by-play. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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