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

Despite initially battling with burnout, and if the professional path was for her, Anderson became a four-time All-American in her five years with the program, while also competing in pro tournaments funded by FSU. — Ava Dicecca, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026

Spirits ran high for most of the night at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium as Austria and Algeria faced off, both on the verge of punching their tickets to the next round of the global tournament. — Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2026

This feels like an enormous match, not merely in the context of this tournament but in the context of the World Cup overall. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 29 June 2026

But Marsch’s plucky team responded by winning this tournament’s first round of 32 match and reaching the round of 16 for the first time in its three trips to the World Cup. — Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 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