sportsmanship

noun

sports·​man·​ship ˈspȯrts-mən-ˌship 

: 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

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

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sportsmanship

• authorship
• battleship
• censorship
• chairmanship
• chieftainship
• comradeship
• consulship
• craftsmanship
• dealership
• draftsmanship
• fellowship
• fingertip

Kids Definition

sportsmanship

noun

sports·​man·​ship ˈspō(ə)rt-smən-ˌship 

ˈspȯ(ə)rt-

: fair play, respect for opponents, and gracious behavior in winning or losing