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 Elections are about winning, within legal and certain moral bounds, not playing by an imaginary set of rules dictating kindness or sportsmanship. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 The Super Bowl is a moment in America where our nation should come together over its love for competition and sportsmanship, where the competitive spirit and the determination of the two best teams in football should unify us all. Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 12 Feb. 2024 With more than 250,000 participants nationwide, players benefit by being physically active through non-contact, continuous action while learning the fundamentals of football, lessons in teamwork and sportsmanship. Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 He also was suspended for the last three regular-season games for violating the Big Ten sportsmanship policy in connection to the sign-stealing scheme blamed on a staffer who resigned during the season. Eric Olson, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2024 Yes, sportsmanship prevailed, even if the NFL brand is a bit worse for the exercise. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2024 The latter was handed down by the Big Ten in November as punishment for an in-person scouting and sign-stealing scheme the conference determined broke its sportsmanship policy. Ralph D. Russo, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2024 Following the final whistle, Wise was also named the sportsmanship award winner for Maranatha Christian during the post-match awards ceremony. San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024 The contest turned out to be a masterclass — as expected for the pair of iconic sharpshooters — and a display of sportsmanship, grace and mutual respect. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sportsmanship.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sportsmanship was in 1897

Dictionary Entries Near sportsmanship

Cite this Entry

“Sportsmanship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sportsmanship. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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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