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 tension builds to a notorious final-act showdown in this Steve Shill film that has become internet meme royalty, with Beyoncé and Larter squaring off in one of the most over-the-top house fights ever filmed. —Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025

Halfway through, he’s tied with the best player in the world, and as the challenge is about to go from blustery to sweltering, the last two days are shaping up as a showdown in that Travelers’ tradition. —Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2025

Up next is a Thursday showdown against Saudi Arabia, coming to us live from the capital of the Lone Star State. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 19 June 2025

The summit also was largely overshadowed by a showdown over Iran’s nuclear program that could escalate. —Rob Gillies, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 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