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
Sensabaugh scored 21 in the first quarter, the most by a player off the bench in the period since play-by-play tracking for all four quarters began in 1996-97.
—
CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
And the FanDuel Southeast play-by-play man has noticed something that’s left an impression on him through the initial three months of the 2025-26 campaign.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2026
The acclaimed entertainment journalists offered tidbits of color and context in a play-by-play style akin to sports commentators.
—Emily St. Martin, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
Sunday short takes *Adam Giardino, UConn grad and versatile play-by-play voice for a number of teams on campus, has earned a huge opportunity.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play-by-play
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.
CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
And the FanDuel Southeast play-by-play man has noticed something that’s left an impression on him through the initial three months of the 2025-26 campaign.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2026
The acclaimed entertainment journalists offered tidbits of color and context in a play-by-play style akin to sports commentators.
—Emily St. Martin, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
Sunday short takes *Adam Giardino, UConn grad and versatile play-by-play voice for a number of teams on campus, has earned a huge opportunity.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 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 20 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
