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

Winds up to 60 mph were expected, as well as tennis ball-sized hail, the weather service said. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026

Off the court, Pegula chairs the WTA Tour Architecture Council, tackling player concerns about demanding schedules and structural pressures in pro tennis. —Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026

Alex has an older brother, Miko, who is also a budding tennis player at the Rafael Nadal Academy. —Ryan Brennan march 11, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026

Throwing objects such as tennis balls, water balloons and small rocks at the bear can work, but using a paintball marker or slingshot can be more accurate and deliver more contact warnings in a short period of time, according to DEEP. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 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