sported; sporting; sports
1
a
: to amuse oneself : frolic
lambs sporting in the meadow
b
: to engage in a sport
2
a
: to mock or ridicule something
b
: to speak or act in jest : trifle
3
[sport entry 2]
: to deviate or vary abruptly from type (as by bud variation) : mutate
1
: to display or wear usually ostentatiously : boast
sporting expensive new shoes
2
[sport entry 2]
: to put forth as a sport or bud variation
1
a
: a source of diversion : recreation
b
: sexual play
c(1)
: physical activity engaged in for pleasure
(2)
: a particular activity (such as an athletic game) so engaged in
2
a
: pleasantry, jest
3
a
: something tossed or driven about in or as if in play
b
4
a
b
: a person considered with respect to living up to the ideals of sportsmanship
a good sport
a poor sport
c
: a companionable person
5
: an individual exhibiting a sudden deviation from type beyond the normal limits of individual variation usually as a result of mutation especially of somatic tissue
variants
or sports
: of, relating to, or suitable for sports
especially
: styled in a manner suitable for casual or informal wear
sport coats
Synonyms
Examples of sport in a Sentence
Verb
She showed up at the party sporting a bright red hat.
from sailing to snorkeling, each day we sported at a different activity offered by the beach resort
Noun
She likes to play sport.
Ice-skating with friends is my favorite sport.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, Alves sported a black off-the-shoulder dress for the occasion featuring sequins on the bodice.
—Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024
Leading up to her latest film, Challengers, Zendaya has been sporting tenniscore looks to tease the sports rom-com.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Apr. 2024
In an experimental photo-op, supermodel Anok Yai sported a rough bowl cut, which was a standalone look against the curls of the week.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 26 Apr. 2024
D’Amato’s show is merely one of many tribute acts working around the world, from the U.S. and the U.K. to Serbia and Slovenia, many featuring Winehouse lookalike singers sporting her trademark hairstyle, winged eyeliner, pumps, and miniskirts.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2024
Henderson, who is rumored to be dating fellow rapper Ray J, can be seen sporting orange hair in her smiling mugshot.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2024
These wage differentials suggest China is gradually losing its competitive advantage in industries that rely on labor-intensive processes, such as household items or sporting goods.
—Journal Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2024
Octopussy, James Bond is firmly in his Seiko era, sporting two different models from the brand over the course of the movie.
—Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2024
Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 28 Apr. 2024
This past week the museum launched a special exhibition devoted to the origins of the global sports event.
—Chloe Veltman, NPR, 28 Apr. 2024
Well-meaning adults pushed me toward an array of alternative activities: sports of all kinds, hunting, shooting guns, driving A.T.V.s.
—John Paul Brammer, The New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2024
The sports arena is said to have been the catalyst for commercial and industrial growth in the region.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2024
In the sports drama, Zendaya plays Tashi Duncan, a teenaged tennis prodigy who becomes enmeshed in a complicated romantic three-way triangle that lasts years.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024
Check the calendar for other major Philadelphia events Professional sports games aren’t the only events that may result in traffic, street closures, and higher hotel prices.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2024
However, the new venture will be pooling sports content among the Joint Venture Partners.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024
His popularity has also grown exponentially beyond sports circles due to media and fan obsession with his ongoing romance with Taylor Swift.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Apr. 2024
Shelby Dermer, The Enquirer, 6 Apr. 2023
The multi-sport athlete shot 56% from the field and 82% from the free-throw line, and graduates with over 1,000 career points.
—Brian Haenchen, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Mar. 2023
Multi-sport athletes Aiden Jones and Aiden Link all played two years.
—Brendan Connelly, The Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2023
The newest set of football immortals included former Auburn High School multi-sport athlete and Troy football standout DeMarcus Ware.
—Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 9 Feb. 2023
Woods seemingly was a multi-sport athlete at Northwestern, based on his Hudl page highlighting his time as a football player for the Colts.
—Kirkland Crawford, Detroit Free Press, 1 Feb. 2023
The multi-sport athlete dropped 29 in a three-point win over Clinton Central and came close to triple-doubles against Covenant Christian, Delphi and Frankfort. ...
—Brian Haenchen, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Jan. 2023
Wednesday at the start of NCAA’s final signing period of the school year, the multi-talented, multi-sport Francis Parker senior signed to play football for Army.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2023
Gamers of all ages will love the TopGolf Swing Suite featuring a large screen, several multi-sport games and comfortable lounge seating.
—Gabi De La Rosa, Chron, 27 Jan. 2023
Verb
This desk sports an industrial-grade steel frame and the desktop feels solid.
—Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, Alves sported a black off-the-shoulder dress for the occasion featuring sequins on the bodice.
—Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024
Leading up to her latest film, Challengers, Zendaya has been sporting tenniscore looks to tease the sports rom-com.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Apr. 2024
In an experimental photo-op, supermodel Anok Yai sported a rough bowl cut, which was a standalone look against the curls of the week.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 26 Apr. 2024
D’Amato’s show is merely one of many tribute acts working around the world, from the U.S. and the U.K. to Serbia and Slovenia, many featuring Winehouse lookalike singers sporting her trademark hairstyle, winged eyeliner, pumps, and miniskirts.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2024
Henderson, who is rumored to be dating fellow rapper Ray J, can be seen sporting orange hair in her smiling mugshot.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2024
These wage differentials suggest China is gradually losing its competitive advantage in industries that rely on labor-intensive processes, such as household items or sporting goods.
—Journal Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2024
Octopussy, James Bond is firmly in his Seiko era, sporting two different models from the brand over the course of the movie.
—Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2024
Noun
Sacramento city officials have long hoped for more professional sports to come to town.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 28 Apr. 2024
This past week the museum launched a special exhibition devoted to the origins of the global sports event.
—Chloe Veltman, NPR, 28 Apr. 2024
Well-meaning adults pushed me toward an array of alternative activities: sports of all kinds, hunting, shooting guns, driving A.T.V.s.
—John Paul Brammer, The New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2024
The sports arena is said to have been the catalyst for commercial and industrial growth in the region.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2024
In the sports drama, Zendaya plays Tashi Duncan, a teenaged tennis prodigy who becomes enmeshed in a complicated romantic three-way triangle that lasts years.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024
Check the calendar for other major Philadelphia events Professional sports games aren’t the only events that may result in traffic, street closures, and higher hotel prices.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2024
However, the new venture will be pooling sports content among the Joint Venture Partners.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024
His popularity has also grown exponentially beyond sports circles due to media and fan obsession with his ongoing romance with Taylor Swift.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Marissa Meyer Meyer, who was a multi-sport athlete at Fairfield High School, is a finalist for the 2023 Sorensen Award, given annually to the nation's top women's collegiate rugby player.
—Shelby Dermer, The Enquirer, 6 Apr. 2023
The multi-sport athlete shot 56% from the field and 82% from the free-throw line, and graduates with over 1,000 career points.
—Brian Haenchen, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Mar. 2023
Multi-sport athletes Aiden Jones and Aiden Link all played two years.
—Brendan Connelly, The Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2023
The newest set of football immortals included former Auburn High School multi-sport athlete and Troy football standout DeMarcus Ware.
—Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 9 Feb. 2023
Woods seemingly was a multi-sport athlete at Northwestern, based on his Hudl page highlighting his time as a football player for the Colts.
—Kirkland Crawford, Detroit Free Press, 1 Feb. 2023
The multi-sport athlete dropped 29 in a three-point win over Clinton Central and came close to triple-doubles against Covenant Christian, Delphi and Frankfort. ...
—Brian Haenchen, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Jan. 2023
Wednesday at the start of NCAA’s final signing period of the school year, the multi-talented, multi-sport Francis Parker senior signed to play football for Army.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2023
Gamers of all ages will love the TopGolf Swing Suite featuring a large screen, several multi-sport games and comfortable lounge seating.
—Gabi De La Rosa, Chron, 27 Jan. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sport.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to sport
Dictionary Entries Near sport
Cite this Entry
“Sport.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sport. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sport
1 of 3 verb
ˈspō(ə)rt 
ˈspȯ(ə)rt
sport
2 of 3 noun1
a
b
: physical activity (as hunting, running, or an athletic game) engaged in for pleasure
2
a
b
: fun entry 1 sense 3
make sport of someone
3
: a person who shows good sportsmanship
4
: an individual that shows a sudden major change from the normal type usually as a result of a mutation
a yellow sport among the red apples
sport
3 of 3 adjective
variants
or sports
: of, relating to, or suitable for sports
sports equipment
also
: made in a style suitable for casual or informal wear
a sport coat
Medical Definition
sport
noun
: an individual exhibiting a sudden deviation from type beyond the normal limits of individual variation usually as a result of mutation especially of somatic tissue
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