showdown

noun

show·​down ˈshō-ˌdau̇n 

1

: the placing of poker hands faceup on the table to determine the winner of a pot

2

: a decisive confrontation or contest

Examples of showdown in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Catching the Brewers for the division title and securing a first-round bye to the NL Division Series would go a long way in setting up that October showdown. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

Continue reading … PULPIT POWER — Megachurch pastor scores primary win in Kansas, heads for big money showdown. — FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026

The legal showdown, in which the DA has teamed up with lobbyists, will test the government’s stability. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026

After four faceoffs in the NBA Finals against the Warriors — with Steph Curry’s squad winning three — and after numerous riveting showdowns since, joining the Warriors would never not feel like joining the enemy. — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for showdown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

showdown

noun

show·​down -ˌdau̇n 

: the test of strength that finally settles a dispute