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
In 2003, Pistons guard Chauncey Billups pulled the chair on the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Ricky Davis — and did so in the presence of a smiling Mahorn, who was working play-by-play.
—
Jason Jones, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Bradley will debut as a game analyst on the SEC Network alongside play-by-play commentator Tom Hart and analyst Kyle Peterson on May 9 when Tennessee hosts Vanderbilt.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Mike Patrick, the amiable play-by-play man who called NFL games and ACC basketball contests during his 36 years at ESPN, has died.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2025
The group later engaged in some play-by-play of the incident.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play-by-play
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Jason Jones, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Bradley will debut as a game analyst on the SEC Network alongside play-by-play commentator Tom Hart and analyst Kyle Peterson on May 9 when Tennessee hosts Vanderbilt.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Mike Patrick, the amiable play-by-play man who called NFL games and ACC basketball contests during his 36 years at ESPN, has died.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2025
The group later engaged in some play-by-play of the incident.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
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 5 May. 2025.
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