sportsmanship

noun

sports·​man·​ship ˈspȯrts-mən-ˌship How to pronounce sportsmanship (audio)
: conduct (such as fairness, respect for one's opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing) becoming to one participating in a sport

Examples of sportsmanship in a Sentence

He's a great player who's also admired for his sportsmanship.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Throwing a football into the stands during a celebration, for example, is deemed a sportsmanship issue and comes with a minimum first-offense fine of $8,114. Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 4 Sep. 2025 His voice was pitying and patient, like a peewee-soccer coach imparting a lesson of sportsmanship. Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025 According to Ostapenko, the catalyst of the argument came from a moment of controversy that is not part of tennis’ codified laws and instead an act of – or lack of, in this case – sportsmanship. Ben Morse, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025 She's not known to have sportsmanship, doesn't have the best code of conduct. Robert Birsel shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sportsmanship

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sportsmanship was in 1897

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sportsmanship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sportsmanship. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

sportsmanship

noun
sports·​man·​ship ˈspō(ə)rt-smən-ˌship How to pronounce sportsmanship (audio)
ˈspȯ(ə)rt-
: fair play, respect for opponents, and gracious behavior in winning or losing

More from Merriam-Webster on sportsmanship

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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