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

To understand the ugliness of the Giants’ 6-3 loss to the Miami Marlins on Saturday evening at loanDepot Park, take a look at the play-by-play log for the bottom of the fourth inning. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 June 2026

Timothée Chalamet, Ben Stiller, Jon Stewart, Mariska Hargitay, Tracy Morgan and other celebrities joined the party, while Knicks play-by-play announcer Mike Breen emceed the City Hall ceremony. — Anthony Izaguirre, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026

So, on the 10th anniversary of that improbable championship, rather than rehash another play-by-play of that thrilling Game 7, here instead are my core memories of the 2015-16 Cavaliers. — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 19 June 2026

She’s also written about women’s basketball for The Believer, and recently published a breathless Knicks play-by-play for SB Nation. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for play-by-play

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway