tournament

noun

tour·​na·​ment

ˈtu̇r-nə-mənt,

 also  ˈtər-,

or

ˈtȯr- 

1

: a series of games or contests that make up a single unit of competition (as on a professional golf tour), the championship playoffs of a league or conference, or an invitational event

2

a

: a knightly sport of the Middle Ages between mounted combatants armed with blunted lances or swords and divided into two parties contesting for a prize or favor bestowed by the lady of the tournament

b

: the whole series of knightly sports, jousts, and tilts occurring at one time and place

Synonyms

• bout
• competition
• contest
• event
• game
• match
• matchup
• meet
• sweepstakes
• sweep-stake
• tourney

Examples of tournament in a Sentence

She's an excellent tennis player who has won many tournaments.

a golf tournament in which professionals compete against amateurs

Recent Examples on the Web

This session’s tournament will be round-robin format, with each competitor playing in turns against each other. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024

The loss sealed Sacramento’s fate as a play-in tournament team a year after the Kings secured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference to end the longest playoff drought in NBA history after 16 consecutive losing seasons. —Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 12 Apr. 2024

But the reality is Sunday’s road loss to the Pacers stripped the Heat of control of its own destiny in terms of avoiding the play-in tournament and Wednesday’s loss left the Heat relying on other teams just to host the East’s No. 7 vs. No. 8 play-in tournament game. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024

After a two-and-a-half-hour delay due to bad weather, huge crowds gathered to watch the all-star trio hit the ceremonial opening shots of the tournament. —Jack Bantock, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024

Caddies also get a percentage of whatever their player earns after the tournament ends. —Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024

Once the weather clears, tournament organizers are expected to get creative in getting things back on schedule by Friday. —Jordan Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2024

And because this is a civilized tournament, an R.S.V.P. is expected. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2024

While there will be around 40,000 people in Augusta to see the anticipated tournament in person, this is also one of the most exclusive tournaments to get tickets to, with limited attendance. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tornement, from Anglo-French turneiement, from turneier

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing tournament

• pre-tournament

Kids Definition

tournament

noun

tour·​na·​ment ˈtu̇r-nə-mənt 

 also  ˈtər-,

 or  ˈtȯr-

1

: a contest of skill and courage between knights wearing armor and fighting with blunted lances or swords

2

: a contest or series of contests played for a championship