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

During the huge Round of 32 knockout showdown, packed crowds inside the legendary Estadio Azteca generated enough ground movement to trigger local seismic monitoring equipment. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

Tuesday night’s showdown with Ecuador was delayed by an hour because of lightning. — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

This escalating conflict, marked by mixed court results and difficult enforcement, suggests an inevitable Supreme Court showdown to define their future regulation. — Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

But these were minnows, and Zico saved his best performance for the showdown against Argentina; Zico against Diego Maradona. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 1 July 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