play-by-play
adjective
ˈplā-ˌbī-ˌplā 
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
His involvement goes way beyond simply serving as tag-team partner for play-by-play voice Eric Collins.
—
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
Six came in the final two minutes, and the crazy thing is that stop on Giroux did not even count as one, as the NHL’s official statisticians determined the shot would have gone wide, according to the play-by-play sheet.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
The play-by-play announcer couldn’t let the moment pass without comment.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Adebayo’s 43-point first half was the NBA’s second-best in at least the last 30 seasons — going back to the start of the digital play-by-play era that began in the 1996-97 season.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Mar. 2026
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Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
Six came in the final two minutes, and the crazy thing is that stop on Giroux did not even count as one, as the NHL’s official statisticians determined the shot would have gone wide, according to the play-by-play sheet.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
The play-by-play announcer couldn’t let the moment pass without comment.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Adebayo’s 43-point first half was the NBA’s second-best in at least the last 30 seasons — going back to the start of the digital play-by-play era that began in the 1996-97 season.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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 25 Mar. 2026.
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