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

The event spotlights the top high school tennis players in Southern California, as well as a celebration of academic excellence, athletic achievement and family dedication. —Richard Dunn, Oc Register, 4 June 2026

The department is reminding everyone that no e-bikes or bicycles are permitted on the tennis, basketball, or any court within the park. —Jessica Riley, CBS News, 4 June 2026

Born in Zhigulevsk, Russia, Shnaider started playing tennis at the age of 4 and was training under coach Samvel Minasyan in Moscow by the age of 8. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 4 June 2026

To be sure, France has had a lot of influence on tennis culture, Buzanga said. —Ayana Archie, NPR, 4 June 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