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

Or a play-by-play deep dive into his cat’s gastrointestinal issues. —Angela Haupt, Time, 19 Nov. 2025

Kevin Harlan will be on the play-by-play call for the broadcast with analysis from Trent Green and sideline reporting from Melanie Collins. —Mike Darnay, CBS News, 16 Nov. 2025

The game will air exclusively on NFL Network, with Kenny Albert as the play-by-play announcer, Jonathan Vilma as the analyst and Jamie Erdahl as the sideline reporter. —Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2025

The four will deliver a play-by-play of the game, but framed as an unscripted event and with their takes geared toward reality TV fans. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for play-by-play

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