tournament

noun

tour·​na·​ment

ˈtu̇r-nə-mənt,

 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

Synonyms

• bout
• competition
• contest
• event
• game
• match
• matchup
• meet
• sweepstakes
• sweep-stake
• tourney

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

Related article Security remains high amid ISIS-K threat against Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup in New York, official says After these two defeats, Pakistan’s progression in this tournament rests on a knife edge, dependent on the USA’s results, who now have a golden chance to make the knockout stages. —Issy Ronald, CNN, 9 June 2024

Earlier in the tournament, Świątek was in the headlines after her semifinal opponent, American Coco Gauff, was brought to tears when chair umpire Aurélie Tourte overruled a favorable call for Gauff during the pair’s match. —Luke Chinman, Peoplemag, 8 June 2024

Hops on the Fairway, the 10th annual San Diego Brewers Guild golf tournament, tees off 10 a.m. at The Links at Lakehouse, San Marcos. —Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2024

Two more big names have been added to the field of the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe. —Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 7 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing tournament

• pre-tournament

Kids Definition

tournament

noun

tour·​na·​ment ˈtu̇r-nə-mənt 

 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