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
Ryan Lefebvre and Jake Eisenberg will continue calling play-by-play, while Rex Hudler and Jeremy Guthrie will be back as analysts.
—
Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
Telemundo will have nine play-by-play and color commentator teams for this World Cup and more than 20 reporters in cities across Mexico, the United States and Canada, pushing to deliver the best possible coverage of a tournament played in the network’s home territory.
—Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
The Tigers broadcast team will feature Jason Benetti and Dan Dickerson on play-by-play; with Andy Dirks and Dan Petry as analysts.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
Here’s a play-by-play of my panty test.
—Outside, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play-by-play
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Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
Telemundo will have nine play-by-play and color commentator teams for this World Cup and more than 20 reporters in cities across Mexico, the United States and Canada, pushing to deliver the best possible coverage of a tournament played in the network’s home territory.
—Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
The Tigers broadcast team will feature Jason Benetti and Dan Dickerson on play-by-play; with Andy Dirks and Dan Petry as analysts.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
Here’s a play-by-play of my panty test.
—Outside, 24 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 9 Mar. 2026.
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