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 of tournament

• competition
• event
• game
• championship
• match
• contest
• 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

This mission hits a wall when the local gaming authority suspends all Hong Kong player accounts just weeks before a key tournament selection stage. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026

Benfica, a club led by Jose Mourinho, pushed into the knockout phase in 24th place of the tournament. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Arlington will host nine matches, including a semifinal, while Houston will stage seven games, and Dallas will serve as the tournament’s International Broadcast Center. —Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Announced on Thursday, the skin care brand is teaming up with the University of Connecticut Men’s and Women’s Basketball to become its official acne sponsor ahead of the NCAA March Madness tournament. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026

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