sported; sporting; sports
1
a
: to amuse oneself : frolic
lambs sporting in the meadow
b
: to engage in a sport
2
a
: to mock or ridicule something
b
: to speak or act in jest : trifle
3
[sport entry 2]
: to deviate or vary abruptly from type (as by bud variation) : mutate
1
: to display or wear usually ostentatiously : boast
sporting expensive new shoes
2
[sport entry 2]
: to put forth as a sport or bud variation
1
a
: 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
2
a
: pleasantry, jest
3
a
: something tossed or driven about in or as if in play
b
4
a
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
variants
or sports
: of, relating to, or suitable for sports
especially
: styled in a manner suitable for casual or informal wear
sport coats
Synonyms
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
Martha McPhee, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2023
The late monarch sported a tartan skirt, a staple of her wardrobe during her visits to Scotland.
—Clare Fisher, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2023
Sunnyvale, coming off a loss to Class 5A Terrell and sporting a two-quarterback system with Jackson Smith and Nelson Peterson, will provide a stiffer test.
—Greg McKenna, Dallas News, 7 Sep. 2023
Starting Thursday, adults in Kentucky will finally be able to place bets on sporting events at six facilities across the commonwealth.
—The Courier-Journal, 6 Sep. 2023
But what caught fans’ eyes was a white armband ‘Set sported on his left arm.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 5 Sep. 2023
There are plenty of heritage homes and hotels, often sporting the tropical modernist look spearheaded by star Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa.
—Sophie Prideaux, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2023
Petrovic, 23, bolstered the struggling back line but the Revolution failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since Bruce Arena became sporting director/head coach in 2019.
—Frank Dell'apa, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2023
Both in all black, Jenner sported a camouflage-print cap while the pro surfer wore her ultra-long beachy locks down past her hips.
—Marisa Sullivan, Peoplemag, 25 Aug. 2023
Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2023
The Fan Sports Roundup Get the latest D-FW sports news, analysis, scores and more.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 9 Sep. 2023
The sneaker’s leather footbed and gum outsoles are a nod to the deep rooted history and heritage that Puma has with the sport of football.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 9 Sep. 2023
Currently, Fubo and Sling are the only major streaming services that carry Pac-12 Network, which will get you the most Pac-12 college sports events.
—oregonlive, 9 Sep. 2023
Grievance of the week Coaching matters in football more than in any other sport — basketball, baseball, pickleball, jai alai, whatever.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023
Still, male players refused to let women join their burgeoning sports union, so the Women's Tennis Association was formed in 1973.
—Danya Bacchus, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2023
Most of the athletes diagnosed with CTE played football as their primary sport, with others playing ice hockey and soccer.
—Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2023
Some of the greatest athletes ever have competed in track and field like say Usain Bolt, but the sport gets minimal attention in comparison to pro team sports like the NBA.
—Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 29 Aug. 2023
Shelby Dermer, The Enquirer, 6 Apr. 2023
The multi-sport athlete shot 56% from the field and 82% from the free-throw line, and graduates with over 1,000 career points.
—Brian Haenchen, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Mar. 2023
Multi-sport athletes Aiden Jones and Aiden Link all played two years.
—Brendan Connelly, The Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2023
The newest set of football immortals included former Auburn High School multi-sport athlete and Troy football standout DeMarcus Ware.
—Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 9 Feb. 2023
Woods seemingly was a multi-sport athlete at Northwestern, based on his Hudl page highlighting his time as a football player for the Colts.
—Kirkland Crawford, Detroit Free Press, 1 Feb. 2023
The multi-sport athlete dropped 29 in a three-point win over Clinton Central and came close to triple-doubles against Covenant Christian, Delphi and Frankfort. ...
—Brian Haenchen, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Jan. 2023
Wednesday at the start of NCAA’s final signing period of the school year, the multi-talented, multi-sport Francis Parker senior signed to play football for Army.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2023
Gamers of all ages will love the TopGolf Swing Suite featuring a large screen, several multi-sport games and comfortable lounge seating.
—Gabi De La Rosa, Chron, 27 Jan. 2023
See More
Verb
In photographs of the time, usually for holidays and other occasions, Dan could be seen sporting an ascot, jaunty suspenders.
—Martha McPhee, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2023
The late monarch sported a tartan skirt, a staple of her wardrobe during her visits to Scotland.
—Clare Fisher, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2023
Sunnyvale, coming off a loss to Class 5A Terrell and sporting a two-quarterback system with Jackson Smith and Nelson Peterson, will provide a stiffer test.
—Greg McKenna, Dallas News, 7 Sep. 2023
Starting Thursday, adults in Kentucky will finally be able to place bets on sporting events at six facilities across the commonwealth.
—The Courier-Journal, 6 Sep. 2023
But what caught fans’ eyes was a white armband ‘Set sported on his left arm.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 5 Sep. 2023
There are plenty of heritage homes and hotels, often sporting the tropical modernist look spearheaded by star Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa.
—Sophie Prideaux, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2023
Petrovic, 23, bolstered the struggling back line but the Revolution failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since Bruce Arena became sporting director/head coach in 2019.
—Frank Dell'apa, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2023
Both in all black, Jenner sported a camouflage-print cap while the pro surfer wore her ultra-long beachy locks down past her hips.
—Marisa Sullivan, Peoplemag, 25 Aug. 2023
Noun
After a two-year break from the sport, Biles is back and stronger than ever.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2023
The Fan Sports Roundup Get the latest D-FW sports news, analysis, scores and more.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 9 Sep. 2023
The sneaker’s leather footbed and gum outsoles are a nod to the deep rooted history and heritage that Puma has with the sport of football.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 9 Sep. 2023
Currently, Fubo and Sling are the only major streaming services that carry Pac-12 Network, which will get you the most Pac-12 college sports events.
—oregonlive, 9 Sep. 2023
Grievance of the week Coaching matters in football more than in any other sport — basketball, baseball, pickleball, jai alai, whatever.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023
Still, male players refused to let women join their burgeoning sports union, so the Women's Tennis Association was formed in 1973.
—Danya Bacchus, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2023
Most of the athletes diagnosed with CTE played football as their primary sport, with others playing ice hockey and soccer.
—Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2023
Some of the greatest athletes ever have competed in track and field like say Usain Bolt, but the sport gets minimal attention in comparison to pro team sports like the NBA.
—Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 29 Aug. 2023
Adjective
Marissa Meyer Meyer, who was a multi-sport athlete at Fairfield High School, is a finalist for the 2023 Sorensen Award, given annually to the nation's top women's collegiate rugby player.
—Shelby Dermer, The Enquirer, 6 Apr. 2023
The multi-sport athlete shot 56% from the field and 82% from the free-throw line, and graduates with over 1,000 career points.
—Brian Haenchen, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Mar. 2023
Multi-sport athletes Aiden Jones and Aiden Link all played two years.
—Brendan Connelly, The Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2023
The newest set of football immortals included former Auburn High School multi-sport athlete and Troy football standout DeMarcus Ware.
—Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 9 Feb. 2023
Woods seemingly was a multi-sport athlete at Northwestern, based on his Hudl page highlighting his time as a football player for the Colts.
—Kirkland Crawford, Detroit Free Press, 1 Feb. 2023
The multi-sport athlete dropped 29 in a three-point win over Clinton Central and came close to triple-doubles against Covenant Christian, Delphi and Frankfort. ...
—Brian Haenchen, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Jan. 2023
Wednesday at the start of NCAA’s final signing period of the school year, the multi-talented, multi-sport Francis Parker senior signed to play football for Army.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2023
Gamers of all ages will love the TopGolf Swing Suite featuring a large screen, several multi-sport games and comfortable lounge seating.
—Gabi De La Rosa, Chron, 27 Jan. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sport.' 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
Verb
Middle English, to divert, disport, short for disporten
First Known Use
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective
circa 1586, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of sport was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing sport
Articles Related to sport
Dictionary Entries Near sport
Cite this Entry
“Sport.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sport. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
sport
1 of 3 verb
ˈspō(ə)rt 
ˈspȯ(ə)rt
sport
2 of 3 noun1
a
b
: physical activity (as hunting, running, or an athletic game) engaged in for pleasure
2
a
b
: fun entry 1 sense 3
make sport of someone
3
: a person who shows good sportsmanship
4
: an individual that shows a sudden major change from the normal type usually as a result of a mutation
a yellow sport among the red apples
sport
3 of 3 adjective
variants
or sports
: of, relating to, or suitable for sports
sports equipment
also
: made in a style suitable for casual or informal wear
a sport coat
Medical Definition
sport
noun
: 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
More from Merriam-Webster on sport
Nglish: Translation of sport for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of sport for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sport
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