spectate

verb

spec·​tate ˈspek-ˌtāt How to pronounce spectate (audio)
spectated; spectating

intransitive verb

: to be present as a spectator (as at a sports event)

Examples of spectate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This involved a generous definition of spectating—the court was barely visible from parts of the upper deck. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2023 Prescott, running back Tony Pollard and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb were among the others who spectated down the stretch. Michael Gehlken, Dallas News, 11 Sep. 2023 Yes, there will be some level of spectating — especially when your eyes meet the endlessly photogenic landscape for the first time — but the island implores travelers to be active participants and appreciators of every moment. Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2023 The event is open to kids and adults of all ages with free entry for parents or caregivers who are only spectating. Jasmin Barmore, Detroit Free Press, 3 Aug. 2023 Photo-illustration: WIRED Staff; Getty Images Last summer, ESPN2 offered viewers the opportunity to spectate an event distinctly incongruous with its usual sport offerings and yet yawn-inducingly familiar: spreadsheet calculation. WIRED, 28 June 2023 He finger-wags rappers who live their raps yet giddily spectates their beef, earning a fortune and an immense following from his hypocrisy. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2023 Various times Saturday, June 10, Cannon Beach; free to spectate; cannonbeach.org/events. oregonlive, 7 June 2023 Stop by the Alaska State Fairgrounds to compete in the games or to spectate. Anchorage Daily News, 29 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spectate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from spectator

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spectate was in 1858

Dictionary Entries Near spectate

Cite this Entry

“Spectate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spectate. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!