tennis

noun

ten·​nis ˈte-nəs 

often attributive

1

: an indoor or outdoor game that is played with rackets and a light elastic ball by two players or pairs of players on a level court (as of clay or grass) divided by a low net

2

: court tennis

Examples of tennis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bieber’s faceoff against 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, whose stat ties the all-time record for the most major singles titles in tennis history, is featured in the special. — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026

An athlete throughout his life, Toberman earned a tennis scholarship to college and spent years playing competitive squash. — Nancy Badertscher, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Even the most casual sports fan understands that tennis is among the most punishing of athletic pursuits. — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026

Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner claimed victory at the Wimbledon Championships; Glasgow played host to the Commonwealth Games; and Spain lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy in New York/New Jersey. — Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tenetz, tenys, perhaps borrowed from Anglo-French tenez, 2nd person plural imperative of tenir "to hold" — more at tenant entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing tennis

• court tennis
• deck tennis
• lawn tennis
• paddle tennis
• platform tennis
• squash tennis
• table tennis
• tennis bracelet
• tennis court
• tennis elbow
• tennis shoe

Rhymes for tennis

• menace

Kids Definition

tennis

noun

ten·​nis ˈten-əs 

: a game played with rackets and a light elastic ball by two players or two pairs of players on a level court divided by a low net