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

Per Nielsen, the only games among the top 10 that did not include an SEC team were the aforementioned Buckeyes-Hoosiers showdown and ABC’s primetime presentation of Notre Dame-BYU. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2026

As Prue and Curtis struggle to unravel the twisty lore of the obstacle-laden forest in their search for Mac, their outsider presence inadvertently sets off a long-festering showdown for control of the forest between its warring factions. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

To hear Kenneth Walker tell it, the leadup to Sunday’s showdown in Week 7 of the NFL season feels no different from the Chiefs’ previous one, or the one before that. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026

Continue reading … RED FUNDING FIGHT — $40M Singham money trail sparks House showdown as nonprofits refuse to back down. — FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 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