variants or e-sport
plural esports or e-sports
: a multiplayer video game used as the basis for an organized competition
Rapa has played over 10,000 hours of "League of Legends" since the game's release. He thinks the complexity of the game is what turns kids away from trying it out as an esport.James Lotts
Though women make up nearly half of all US gamers, the number decreases to a third for games that are considered an esportMelissah Yang
What has made Overwatch League unique compared to other leagues in the multibillion-dollar world of esports is attaching teams to cities and trying to build a hometown fan base like traditional sports.Arash Markazi
For almost a decade, pro-circuit video gaming has been inching toward acceptance as an e-sport.Alan Feuer
often used before another noun
esport gaming
esport players
also : the activity of engaging in esports
Four teams are in the semi-finals this weekend. That's how a semi-final works, even in esport. Megan Stewart

Examples of esport in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
BlizzCon, held by Blizzard Entertainment, is a weekend-long celebration with esports, panels, cosplay and live experiences to bring together gamers around the world. Tanya Fedak, Variety, 23 June 2026 Upgrading to a pro-grade esports headset bundled with a high-fidelity magnetic charging base station and broadcast-bandwidth wireless mics at $100 off is an incredible find. Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 23 June 2026 Among the creators hopping on the bandwagon, who have been aggregated by mainstream media that includes ESPN and Men in Blazers, are accounts with ties to offshore betting sites and other esports promotions. Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 15 June 2026 Most commonly, esports competitions are multiplayer online video game contests, often incorporating live broadcasts with commentary. Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for esport

Word History

First Known Use

1999, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of esport was in 1999

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Esport.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/esport. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster