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
And the chronological structure of the script sometimes gives the play a choppy play-by-play feel.
—
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Come tipoff, Mark Jones cracks jokes in play-by-play coverage, alongside network partners Richard Jefferson and Monica McNutt.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
But Dungy's silence on his own ballot led to New York Yankees play-by-play announcer and New York radio host Michael Kay ripping him.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Sportscasters Steve Levy and Taylor Rooks will be on hand for play-by-play and commentary.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play-by-play
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Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Come tipoff, Mark Jones cracks jokes in play-by-play coverage, alongside network partners Richard Jefferson and Monica McNutt.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
But Dungy's silence on his own ballot led to New York Yankees play-by-play announcer and New York radio host Michael Kay ripping him.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Sportscasters Steve Levy and Taylor Rooks will be on hand for play-by-play and commentary.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 8 Feb. 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 20 Feb. 2026.
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