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

Many people obtain great pleasure from pickleball, tennis, golf and other pursuits that combine physical fitness with socialization. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Playing some of the most assured tennis of his career, Brandon Nakashima slowed Rafael Jódar’s roll Wednesday at the Canadian Open in Montreal, beating the red-hot teenager 7-6(3), 6-4 to advance to the biggest final of his career. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

An avid athlete, Norton has participated in competitive horse jumping and skydiving and has also played tennis and skied. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026

Proctor, 17, said she was supposed to be back for tennis trials, which were delayed. — Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 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