play-by-play

adjective

ˈplā-ˌbī-ˌplā How to pronounce play-by-play (audio)
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 Beavers previously worked with a local insurance company and also served as a radio sports announcer, primarily doing play-by-play of Watson Chapel High School football and basketball. The Pine Bluff Commercial, arkansasonline.com, 9 Apr. 2024 For the first time in 32 years:Final Four has a new play-by-play announcer. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024 Read on for the full play-by-play of the three-hour finale, as well as for some exclusive updates from Joey and his fiancée and the latest on the next Bachelorette. Breanne L. Heldman, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024 In the second inning, a fouled ball ricocheted off the handle of his bat and struck Gonzalez directly in the face, the play-by-play commentator described. Katherine Itoh, NBC News, 26 Mar. 2024 The move comes several weeks after Barnes was seen yelling at referees and confronting a student play-by-play announcer at a high school basketball game in Los Angeles. Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 But the show goes beyond a play-by-play of the search to offer flashbacks that shed light on Stanton’s dynamic with the president. Vanessa Armstrong, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024 Read on for a play-by-play of what didn't make the air at this year’s Academy Awards. Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Kaczmarek raved about the total experience from the action on the court and energy of the crowd to the DJ and play-by-play commentator. Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'play-by-play.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of play-by-play was in 1927

Dictionary Entries Near 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 24 Apr. 2024.

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