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
The play-by-play voice of Indiana men’s basketball and football since 1973 has seen all of the ups and downs — mostly downs — of this program in his legendary career.
—
Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 20 Jan. 2026
You’re not paid to listen to daily play-by-plays of their personal life.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
The team announced that play-by-play broadcaster Ken Daniels will be working with Chris Osgood, who regularly serves as an analyst on Red Wings broadcasts, as well as with Stu Grimson and Frankie Corrado in Redmond’s absence.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2026
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will have play-by-play and color commentary for the game.
—CBS News, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play-by-play
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.
Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 20 Jan. 2026
You’re not paid to listen to daily play-by-plays of their personal life.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
The team announced that play-by-play broadcaster Ken Daniels will be working with Chris Osgood, who regularly serves as an analyst on Red Wings broadcasts, as well as with Stu Grimson and Frankie Corrado in Redmond’s absence.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2026
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will have play-by-play and color commentary for the game.
—CBS News, 18 Jan. 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 24 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
