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

Williams is in demand in the corporate speaking circuit for her three decades in tennis that include a fight for pay equity. —Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 3 Dec. 2025

The Holiday Celebration also features Meghan crafting with tennis champion Naomi Osaka, cooking gumbo for chef and Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio, and enjoying a festive brunch with her longtime friends Kelly McKee Zajfen and author-producer Lindsay Jill Roth. —Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025

Persistence, self-belief and hard work are what have helped musician, actor, former professional tennis player, current Serra Mesa resident and the creator of the new San Diego Gulls anthem, Eric Sage, succeed in life. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2025

The 200-acre property recently underwent a $50 million renovation and now includes refreshed rooms and suites, as well as an 18-hole golf course, three pools, tennis and pickleball courts, several on-site restaurants, and direct beach access. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2025

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 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