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 of tournament

• competition
• event
• game
• championship
• match
• contest
• 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

Their 7-6 record ended a 22-year run of at least 10 wins in a season, and their six losses before the playoffs marked their most since the 2009 squad went 9-6 before going 1-1 in the tournament. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 4 May 2026

The challenge is coordinated by a tournament lab at NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation, which assists with crowdsourcing across the federal government. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 May 2026

The Huskies entered the tournament unseeded and became the first team to win six road matches on the way to the title. —Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026

The canine versions of four jerseys featuring at this year’s tournament — those of Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and Japan — come complete with the brand’s signature three-stripe shoulders and official federation badges. —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 3 May 2026

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