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

Spain faces Cape Verde in its first match of the tournament on Monday, in a game it is expected to win by a large margin. —Ben Church, CNN Money, 15 June 2026

After tying Switzerland, 1-1, in its opener, the USMNT pulled off a big upset against Colombia, one of the tournament's favorites. —Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

Serena Williams, back at age 44, won a first match with her doubles partner in a tournament in London in her first competitive play in almost four years. —Greg Cote june 14, Miami Herald, 14 June 2026

In other words, the match began exactly as expected, but then came the unexpected in what is undoubtedly the moment of the tournament thus far. —Mark Harris, FOXNews.com, 14 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