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

That effort starts with a road trip next Saturday to Wake Forest, followed by a home showdown against Duke and another road game at NC State — all in-state opponents. —Justin Williams, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025

Anderson, a first-team All-County selection last season in flag football, enters a showdown against JSerra on Saturday with a team-leading 136 receptions for 1,308 yards and 15 touchdowns. —Dan Albano, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025

One week after a huge comeback in a first-place RMAC showdown, CSU-Pueblo had designs on another. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025

On Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, Alabama will host the LSU Tigers (5-3) in a primetime showdown — LSU’s first game since firing head coach Brian Kelly. —Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 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