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

The Florida State Seminoles (5-5) and NC State Wolfpack (5-5) battle for bowl eligibility in a Friday night showdown at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina, as the teams meet for the first time since 2022. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Nov. 2025

Continue reading … PAPERS PLEASE – Maryland court showdown leaves Kilmar Abrego Garcia's fate hanging in balance. —FOXNews.com, 21 Nov. 2025

There are also time-of-day changes, as the sun rises over the eventual showdown between the Kalisk, Dek, Thia, and her sister Tessa (also Elle Fanning). —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 Nov. 2025

This isn’t being touted as the 71st Causeway Classic, the next must-see showdown of regional rivals, as much it is being billed as a farewell of a series that is suddenly on shaky ground. —Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 20 Nov. 2025

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