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
Not everyone can excel as both a studio host and a play-by-play announcer.
—
Bobby Burack Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
According to Basketball Reference’s play-by-play breakdown, Wiggins, at 6 feet 7, 210 pounds, was cast at power forward 35% of his minutes this past season, small forward 49% and shooting guard 16%.
—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
29 June 2026
Fast-forward by three decades and now, when the late Cubs announcer Harry Caray suffered a stroke before the 1987 season, Dreesen was one of many celebrities asked to call play-by-play in his place.
—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2026
The Baseball Reference play-by-play database is mostly complete back to 1910.
—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for play-by-play
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Bobby Burack Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
According to Basketball Reference’s play-by-play breakdown, Wiggins, at 6 feet 7, 210 pounds, was cast at power forward 35% of his minutes this past season, small forward 49% and shooting guard 16%.
—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
29 June 2026
Fast-forward by three decades and now, when the late Cubs announcer Harry Caray suffered a stroke before the 1987 season, Dreesen was one of many celebrities asked to call play-by-play in his place.
—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2026
The Baseball Reference play-by-play database is mostly complete back to 1910.
—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
26 June 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 5 Jul. 2026.
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