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

In the context of football, goodwill manifests in acts of sportsmanship, community-building efforts, and moments where the game transcends the pitch to inspire unity and hope. —Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

College athletics provides young people across America opportunities to strive for the highest levels of their abilities, compete to win while learning sportsmanship and, most importantly, discover how to grow and thrive as a team. —Wendy R. Anderson, Washington Post, 11 June 2026

The event celebrates camaraderie, sportsmanship and community pride. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026

There are also documentaries, such as Kids Cup, which can teach kids about sportsmanship and the weight of pressure in sports. —Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 10 June 2026

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