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
Students who committed the most serious sportsmanship violations will face consequences under the Glynn County Code of Conduct, in addition to any GHSA penalties.
—
Christopher Harris, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025
Kansas’ Kohl Rosario and Jamari McDowell weren’t exhibiting poor sportsmanship in each attempting a 3-pointer in the final eight seconds of the Jayhawks’ 71-60 second-round Players Era tournament victory over Syracuse on Tuesday at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 25 Nov. 2025
From 2009 to 2013, Miller served as a top NCAA enforcement official and has also been a liaison to the association’s committee on sportsmanship and ethical conduct, among other task forces.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 14 Nov. 2025
The tournament provides a free, inclusive circuit for golfers aged between 6 and 12 to emphasize fun, sportsmanship, and mentorship over competition across Texas.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sportsmanship
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Christopher Harris, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025
Kansas’ Kohl Rosario and Jamari McDowell weren’t exhibiting poor sportsmanship in each attempting a 3-pointer in the final eight seconds of the Jayhawks’ 71-60 second-round Players Era tournament victory over Syracuse on Tuesday at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 25 Nov. 2025
From 2009 to 2013, Miller served as a top NCAA enforcement official and has also been a liaison to the association’s committee on sportsmanship and ethical conduct, among other task forces.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 14 Nov. 2025
The tournament provides a free, inclusive circuit for golfers aged between 6 and 12 to emphasize fun, sportsmanship, and mentorship over competition across Texas.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sportsmanship
Cite this Entry
“Sportsmanship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sportsmanship. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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