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

More than 30 neighborhood Community Hubs have also been set up across the city, bringing fitness closer to home with pop-up runs, rooftop yoga, skateboarding lessons, padel tournaments, and family-friendly bootcamps. — Scott Campbell, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026

The Lakers opened this game on their garish yellow tournament court by missing their first 15 3-point attempts into the second quarter. — ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026

East Group B is the toughest group in the tournament, with the defending champion Knicks, Miami and Indiana also in the mix. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

The two continued to work the tennis tournament year after year, and Sapov would attempt to communicate with the victim throughout the years. — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Nov. 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