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

After six weeks of filling in as lead NFL game analyst for CBS Sports, Watt has reached a multi-year agreement to continue alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz in the network’s top broadcast booth. — Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Watt joined play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson after Tony Romo went on leave following his July 23 arrest in Wisconsin. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

Watt has been paired with play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz since the start of the NFL season after former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was suspended following a drunk driving arrest in Wisconsin over the summer. — Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Fox Sports‘ lead soccer play-by-play announcer John Strong is now sitting — and presumably staying — in the big chair. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for play-by-play

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