play-by-play
adjective
ˈplā-ˌbī-ˌplā 
ˌplā-ˌbī-ˈplā
1
: being or giving a running commentary on a sports event
a radio play-by-play announcer
2
: relating each event as it occurs
play-by-play
noun
Examples of play-by-play in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After a casino owner turned TV star first became President of the United States, media networks further beefed up their political coverage by treating it like entertainment, amplifying juicy play-by-plays over granular dissections of policy.
—
Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2026
The play-by-play announcer and analyst, as well as Matt Winer and Brian Oliver, signed off for the last time when the Hawks’ regular season concluded in Miami.
—Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Draper spent six seasons in Sacramento as a studio host and substitute play-by-play announcer.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 14 Apr. 2026
What to know about the broadcast Saturday’s action is called by John Buccigross on play-by-play.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play-by-play
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Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2026
The play-by-play announcer and analyst, as well as Matt Winer and Brian Oliver, signed off for the last time when the Hawks’ regular season concluded in Miami.
—Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Draper spent six seasons in Sacramento as a studio host and substitute play-by-play announcer.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 14 Apr. 2026
What to know about the broadcast Saturday’s action is called by John Buccigross on play-by-play.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play-by-play
Cite this Entry
“Play-by-play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play-by-play. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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