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 Residents looking to spectate safely will need specialized glasses to watch the eclipse. David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2024 For those spectating this weekend, keep it classic and cushy. Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 With his wife, Kourtney Kardashian, and Rocky spectating from a nearby chair and his daughter Alabama Barker behind the camera, Travis, 48, shoots the diaper like a basketball over and over, attempting to get it in the pail just once. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 20 Jan. 2024 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

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 19 Apr. 2024.

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