sport

verb

\ ˈspȯrt

sported; sporting; sports

Definition of sport

(Entry 1 of 3)

intransitive verb

1a : to amuse oneself : frolic lambs sporting in the meadow

b : to engage in a sport

2a : to mock or ridicule something

b : to speak or act in jest : trifle

3 [ ²sport ] : to deviate or vary abruptly from type (as by bud variation) : mutate

transitive verb

1 : to display or wear usually ostentatiously : boast sporting expensive new shoes

2 [ ²sport ] : to put forth as a sport or bud variation

sport

noun

Definition of sport (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : a source of diversion : recreation

b : sexual play

c(1) : physical activity engaged in for pleasure

(2) : a particular activity (such as an athletic game) so engaged in

2a : pleasantry, jest

b : often mean-spirited jesting : mockery, derision

3a : something tossed or driven about in or as if in play

b : laughingstock

4a : sportsman

b : a person considered with respect to living up to the ideals of sportsmanship a good sport a poor sport

c : a companionable person

5 : an individual exhibiting a sudden deviation from type beyond the normal limits of individual variation usually as a result of mutation especially of somatic tissue

sport

adjective

variants: or sports

Definition of sport (Entry 3 of 3)

: of, relating to, or suitable for sports especially : styled in a manner suitable for casual or informal wear sport coats

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Choose the Right Synonym for sport

Noun

fun, jest, sport, game, play mean action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter. fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose. played cards just for fun jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing. hurt by remarks said only in jest sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone. teasing begun in sport led to anger game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun. made game of their poor relations play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief. pretended to strangle his brother in play

Examples of sport in a Sentence

Verb

She showed up at the party sporting a bright red hat. from sailing to snorkeling, each day we sported at a different activity offered by the beach resort

Noun

She likes to play sport. Ice-skating with friends is my favorite sport.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Opposed to the clunky and busier kits Dortmund have sported in the past, this away shirt is simple and sleek in its design. — SI.com, "Borussia Dortmund 2019/20 Away Kit: Sleek BVB Shirt Leaked Online," 4 July 2019 Anna Quindlen has sported a good number of titles in her lifetime: newspaper reporter, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, novelist. — Washington Post, "Anna Quindlen takes on grandmotherhood," 18 June 2019 The team altered its uniforms before the 2017 season and hasn’t sported black since. — Dave Southorn, idahostatesman, "Return of the black? Check out Boise State football’s color schemes for 2019 season," 4 June 2019 Turner is an ambassador for Louis Vuitton and has previously sported stunning gowns by Nicolas Ghesquière to the annual party. — Nicole Saunders, Harper's BAZAAR, "Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas Bring Some Much Needed Color to Dreary NYC," 6 May 2019 Kendall, Kourtney, and Kim have all sported the designer’s highly coveted mesh tops from the ’90s, wearing them on a night out in Cannes or even on set at a photoshoot. — Vogue, "Kardashians, Who? Charli XCX Is Obsessed With Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier, Too," 8 Apr. 2019 This isn’t the first time Hailey has sported an outfit proudly displaying her new last name. — De Elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Hailey Bieber Wears Diamond Necklace With Her Married Last Name," 24 Nov. 2018 Middleton, who's known for rewearing her outfits, has sported the Paule Ka skirted suit on at least two previous occasions. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Kate Middleton Recycles a Burgundy Skirted Suit By Paule Ka to Visit University College London," 21 Nov. 2018 After a brief interlude in comfortable flat shoes, Meghan later appeared sporting a second look—a khaki green pleated shirt dress. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle's First Event Since She Announced Her Pregnancy Compared to Kate Middleton's," 16 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Recently, the celebrations have been held in honor of champion sports teams. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "The US Women's Soccer Team Is Getting a Ticker-Tape Parade in New York. Here's What That Means.," 10 July 2019 The stretch of lower Manhattan has long hosted ticker tape parades for world leaders, veterans and hometown sports stars. — Fox News, "Trump weighs options in census case after DOJ setback; Women’s soccer star doubles down on White House snub," 10 July 2019 Anyone who has dreamed up of modeling swimsuits for the popular sports publication can attend the casting call which begins 8 a.m. Friday at the W South Beach hotel, 2201 Collins Ave. — Johnny Diaz, sun-sentinel.com, "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model casting call returns to Miami Beach," 10 July 2019 The Machado signing, though, was of hurricane force, so much more important, his coming to a sports city that recently had its NFL cut off. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Machado signing continues to pay off for Padres, San Diego," 10 July 2019 Over the years, the Defender campaigned for anti-lynching legislation, called for the integration of sports teams and argued against the segregation of the armed forces. — Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, "The ‘Chicago Defender,’ an Iconic Black Newspaper, to Release Its Last Print Issue," 9 July 2019 Pro and semi-pro sports teams have come and gone, but since 1982 — baseball took a 10-year hiatus from the city before that — the Louisville Redbirds/Bats have remained a staple of the summers in town. — David Harten, The Courier-Journal, "Morning Coffee: Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby remains a majestic summer spectacle," 9 July 2019 Subscribe for videos, columns, opinions and analysis from The Arizona Republic’s award-winning sports team. — Greg Moore, azcentral, "Ricky Rubio isn't a franchise-altering free-agent signing, but he's a good fit for the Suns," 9 July 2019 For her Cincinnati Reds lingerie set: Get intimate with your favorite Cincinnati sports team with this number that's also available in Bengals and Bearcats colors. — Noelle Zielinski, Cincinnati.com, "You're gonna love what you can find on Etsy when you search for 'Cincinnati'," 30 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sport.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

12 Jul 2019

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Time Traveler for sport

The first known use of sport was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for sport

sport

verb

English Language Learners Definition of sport

(Entry 1 of 3)

: to wear (something) in a way that attracts attention

literary : to play in a happy and lively way

sport

noun

English Language Learners Definition of sport (Entry 2 of 3)

: a contest or game in which people do certain physical activities according to a specific set of rules and compete against each other

British : sports in general

: a physical activity (such as hunting, fishing, running, swimming, etc.) that is done for enjoyment

sport

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of sport (Entry 3 of 3)

: done for enjoyment rather than as a job or for food for survival

chiefly US : participating in an activity (such as hunting or fishing) for enjoyment rather than as a job or for food for survival

See the full definition for sport in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sport

noun

\ ˈspȯrt

Kids Definition of sport

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : physical activity (as running or an athletic game) engaged in for pleasure or exercise Skating is my favorite sport.

2 : a person who shows good sportsmanship He's a sport and doesn't mind losing. Don't be a bad sport.

3 : pastime, recreation

4 : fun entry 1 sense 3 He made sport of their embarrassment.

sport

verb

sported; sporting

Kids Definition of sport (Entry 2 of 2)

: to wear in a way that attracts attention He sported new sneakers.

sport

noun

\ ˈspō(ə)rt, ˈspȯ(ə)rt

Medical Definition of sport

: an individual exhibiting a sudden deviation from type beyond the normal limits of individual variation usually as a result of mutation especially of somatic tissue