tennis

noun

ten·​nis ˈte-nəs 

often attributive

1

: an indoor or outdoor game that is played with rackets and a light elastic ball by two players or pairs of players on a level court (as of clay or grass) divided by a low net

2

: court tennis

Examples of tennis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In Beach Enclave’s hinterland, there are plenty of enjoyable distractions, including a 4,500-square-foot golf complex, with putting green, courts for tennis, padel, and pickleball, fitness center, and games lounge. — Sarah Turner, Robb Report, 25 June 2026

In her first season of high school tennis Narath was the 4A singles and doubles (with Wooten) state champion for Lions. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2026

Not to worry—the 20-year-old tennis prodigy and first-generation American from the mellow foothills of Orange County, California, isn’t the type to make a fuss. — Jake Nevins, Vogue, 25 June 2026

Evert retired from professional tennis in 1989 and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1995. — Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tenetz, tenys, perhaps borrowed from Anglo-French tenez, 2nd person plural imperative of tenir "to hold" — more at tenant entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing tennis

• court tennis
• deck tennis
• lawn tennis
• paddle tennis
• platform tennis
• squash tennis
• table tennis
• tennis bracelet
• tennis court
• tennis elbow
• tennis shoe

Rhymes for tennis

• menace

Kids Definition

tennis

noun

ten·​nis ˈten-əs 

: a game played with rackets and a light elastic ball by two players or two pairs of players on a level court divided by a low net