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
Fox trotted out legendary quarterback Tom Brady, who will join the network’s play-by-play booth for football coverage.
—
Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2024
Tyler Peterson will be the play-by-play voice at all games, while Davis Ellington will add color commentary for home games.
—Michael Nowels, The Mercury News, 16 May 2024
Broadcast teams each week will be market-focused, with Chip Caray (play-by-play), Will Middlebrooks (analyst), and Alexa Datt (reporter) calling this Sunday’s game.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 May 2024
Jiménez is among the few Latino play-by-play announcers in the NBA on English-language broadcasts.
—Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2024
Schaeffer also has play-by-play experience with the Mountain West Network, FOX College Sports, ESPN3, Big East Digital Network and the Phillies Radio Network.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2024
Gary Gerould has been the Kings’ play-by-play announcer since 1985, when the team moved to Sacramento from Kansas City.
—Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 16 Apr. 2024
Between kisses and whispering in each other’s ears, the two fully participated in the Wimbledon play-by-play, rooting for their favorite players.
—Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 14 Apr. 2024
Activists use Instagram and Facebook to organize protests and sometimes send play-by-play logistical instructions on Telegram.
—Sheera Frenkel, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2024
Tyler Peterson will be the play-by-play voice at all games, while Davis Ellington will add color commentary for home games.
—Michael Nowels, The Mercury News, 16 May 2024
Broadcast teams each week will be market-focused, with Chip Caray (play-by-play), Will Middlebrooks (analyst), and Alexa Datt (reporter) calling this Sunday’s game.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 May 2024
Jiménez is among the few Latino play-by-play announcers in the NBA on English-language broadcasts.
—Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2024
Schaeffer also has play-by-play experience with the Mountain West Network, FOX College Sports, ESPN3, Big East Digital Network and the Phillies Radio Network.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2024
Gary Gerould has been the Kings’ play-by-play announcer since 1985, when the team moved to Sacramento from Kansas City.
—Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 16 Apr. 2024
Between kisses and whispering in each other’s ears, the two fully participated in the Wimbledon play-by-play, rooting for their favorite players.
—Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 14 Apr. 2024
Activists use Instagram and Facebook to organize protests and sometimes send play-by-play logistical instructions on Telegram.
—Sheera Frenkel, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'play-by-play.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 21 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share