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

While Kim Kardashian West and Kylie Jenner are constantly wearing wigs, sporting every hair color under the sun, and Khloe Kardashian has bounced between blonde and bronde shades throughout the years. — Neha Prakash, Allure, "Kendall Jenner Goes Blonde for the Burberry Show at London Fashion Week," 16 Sep. 2019 Some people may gather for sporting events, while others might want a quiet night by the fire with a few friends along with great food and drinks or a nice bottle of wine. — David Norman, Houston Chronicle, "GHBA Remodelers Council: Check out many benefits of outdoor living spaces," 14 Sep. 2019 The Dell Chromebook 11 fits that bill, sporting a simple black chassis that's built to withstand bumps and drops. — Valentina Palladino, Ars Technica, "Guidemaster: How to buy a Chromebook, plus our best picks," 7 Sep. 2019 The recipe was so popular that families wouldn’t show up for community or sporting events unless it was served. — Ellen Mcgirt, Fortune, "Trump Administration to Deport Kids Seeking Medical Treatment: raceAhead," 30 Aug. 2019 With the start of a new school year, there are a lot of fundraisers and sporting events to put on the calendar. — Shiela Johnson, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "North Carroll: Coon Club hosting Crab & Bull Feast and Dance, Sept. 7," 28 Aug. 2019 Loud; conversation difficult at peak hours, especially during sporting events. — Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, "Alamar’s seafood brings us back to our home shores," 26 July 2019 For the summery sporting event, the Duchess of Cambridge wore a pretty green dress with gold buttons. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kate Middleton Arrives at Wimbledon Wearing a Stunning Green Dress," 13 July 2019 Televisions were on, playing mainly sporting events. — David Rabe, The New Yorker, "Uncle Jim Called," 1 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The Globe has other e-mail newsletters on topics ranging from breaking news alerts to sports, politics, business, and entertainment -- check them out . — BostonGlobe.com, "will get the chance show off Rhode Island a little bit this week.," 17 Sep. 2019 The Willcox Basin sports 7,453 wells, according to the state well registry. — Andrew Stern, NBC News, "Draining Arizona: Residents say corporate mega-farms are drying up their wells," 17 Sep. 2019 Across the country, football is still the most popular boys’ school sport, but participation is declining — 7.2% in the past five years. — Taylor Kate Brown, SFChronicle.com, "Bay Briefing: Gov. Newsom has some decisions to make," 16 Sep. 2019 Some parents, and educators, worry a later high school start gives teenagers less time for after-school sports, activities and jobs, and interferes with family responsibilities. — Leslie Postal, orlandosentinel.com, "Orange County high school start times: District offers 3 options for later bells," 16 Sep. 2019 McGregor has had a turbulent time away from the sport, hitting the headlines for allegedly punching a man in the head in April. — Rory Sullivan, CNN, "Conor McGregor hints at MMA comeback in Dublin," 16 Sep. 2019 With that, Lupica, the author of 16 New York Times best-selling books, was off and running on a high-energy, interactive presentation that included stories of his books, his life, sports, his kids and his main message to the students: Keep reading. — Bob Dohr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "An author of 16 New York Times best sellers recently visited Elm Grove middle school students," 16 Sep. 2019 One of the most well-known names in football, without even playing the sport, Malen's agent is none other than the notorious Mino Raiola. — SI.com, "Donyell Malen: 7 Things to Know About the In-Form PSV Striker," 15 Sep. 2019 The top performers in business, sports, and life put 95% of their energy into a very short list of pursuits. — Josh Linkner, Detroit Free Press, "Ask yourself these questions to find your best-self game plan," 14 Sep. 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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Statistics for sport

Last Updated

18 Oct 2019

Look-up Popularity

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