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

Not far behind were the West Hollywood High Cheerleaders, a group of female impersonators sporting pompoms, false breasts, wigs and mustaches. — Shelby Grad, latimes.com, "From gay bashing to AIDS to same-sex marriage, L.A. pride parade reflects hopes, dreams and despairs," 9 June 2019 The team’s logo is a basketball sporting a black beanie like the one Grant wears on the walls of Fruitvale Station. — Nico Savidge, The Mercury News, "‘Long Live Oscar Grant’: New mural, street name honor man whose death rocked Oakland," 8 June 2019 The menu also sports sandwiches, a gyro, salads and appetizers, as well as a rotating special. — oregonlive.com, "West Coast Grocery fights to right ship after rough launch: Portland Breweries Series," 7 June 2019 Dhoni is an honorary lieutenant colonel of India's territorial army special forces -- just the second Indian cricketer to receive this honor -- and during his side's opening victory against South Africa, sported their dagger logo on his gloves. — Ben Morse, CNN, "MS Dhoni asked to remove military insignia from wicketkeeping gloves," 7 June 2019 One by one, veterans sporting hats recognizing their World War II service, rolled up in wheelchairs to sign the paper, which Crow planned to take to the American cemetery in Normandy. — Sam Tabachnik, The Denver Post, "“Something of a miracle”: Colorado veterans honor D-Day’s 75th anniversary," 6 June 2019 Kusodawadha Sanag Coffee sports a Somalian flag on its sign. — Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, "A Day in the Neighborhood: Iroquois is an international smorgasbord of community," 6 June 2019 Baldwin, 22, was spotted leaving a workout on Monday sporting her engagement ring with a silver band below the diamond, while Bieber posted a series of modeling shots on Instagram the same day, showing off his silver band in one photo. — Helen Murphy, PEOPLE.com, "Justin Bieber Gets Into Fender Bender in Los Angeles on the Way to Church with Hailey Baldwin," 6 June 2019 Bids for the classic red car, which sports a standard engine and two black stripes down its hood, began at $6,500, and were up to $22,685 by noon June 5. — Emma Keith, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan sheriff auctioning rare abandoned '69 Plymouth GTX convertible," 5 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Froome was targeting a record-equaling fifth Tour de France title this year to join Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain at the top of the sport. — George Ramsay, CNN, "Chris Froome to miss Tour de France after suffering 'multiple serious injuries'," 12 June 2019 The weekly traditional camp is offered for children 2 years through 10th grade with arts and crafts, sports, free swim, swim lessons and more. — Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, "Still looking for a summer camp? Try these 6 arts-related ones in Louisville," 10 June 2019 The gambling expansion bill also calls for a self-exclusion program for sports betting, which will allow problem gamblers to bar themselves from placing bets on games. — Jason Grotto, ProPublica, "Illinois Is Poised to Become the Gambling Capital of the Midwest," 10 June 2019 Monday’s match will be a culmination of three decades devoted to volleyball and a high point in a relationship nurtured by love of the sport. — Brandon Chase, BostonGlobe.com, "For Richard Barton and Lucas Coffeen, volleyball is all in the family," 9 June 2019 There are so many examples in the history of the sport. — Ann Killion, SFChronicle.com, "Warriors need another visit from Elimination Game Klay Thompson," 9 June 2019 Serpico and her husband, Danny — who ran an Ironman triathlon together on their honeymoon 10 years ago in Cozumel, Mexico — also know what’s involved in training for ultra-endurance events from the other side of the sport. — Janene Holzberg, baltimoresun.com, "For Columbia triathlete Suzy Serpico, conquering this challenge was epic," 7 June 2019 The first major pickleball tournament to take place in the Chicago area will be held in Naperville this summer, making the city a destination spot for players and fans of the sport. — Taylor Hartz, Naperville Sun, "Naperville tapped for first pickleball tourney in Chicago area," 7 June 2019 And Amanda was a natural at the sport, as well, playing the game at 2 years old with her mother. — Jenna Ortiz, azcentral, "Who is Amanda Anisimova, the 17-year-old American shocking the world at the French Open?," 6 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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Statistics for sport

Last Updated

14 Jun 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