play-by-play

adjective

ˈplā-ˌbī-ˌplā How to pronounce play-by-play (audio)
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
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.
Were those actual equestrian terminologies and different play-by-plays? Anaja I. Smith, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2025 Noah Eagle will be NBC’s other primary NBA announcer, and Terry Gannon — a longtime NBC golf and Olympics announcer — will be the network’s No. 3 play-by-play voice. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 July 2025 For the first time since 2019, former Yankees players will compete in a baseball game at Yankee Stadium, play-by-play voice Michael Kay announced on Sunday’s YES Network broadcast. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 13 July 2025 The hope was that Morneau, Plouffe and Perkins would switch off duties each game as the unofficial play-by-play person to handle home run calls, ads and keep the booth organized by communicating directly with Twins TV coordinating producer Trevor Fleck. Dan Hayes, New York Times, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for play-by-play

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of play-by-play was in 1927

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Cite this Entry

“Play-by-play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play-by-play. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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