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

• 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

For the third year in a row, the Hollywood couple brought their daughters – 11-year-old Hazel and 9-year-old Violet – to the pro tennis tournament in New York City. —Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025

The last time Bafana Bafana successfully booked their place at a FIFA World Cup through qualification was in 2001, earning a spot at the 2002 tournament in Korea and Japan. —Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Since reaching the Australian Open final, where Sinner beat him comprehensively, Zverev has won six Grand Slam matches in three tournaments. —Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025

Fishing is such serious sport here that one of the biggest tournaments in the country, the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, attracts anglers from all over the world every June. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025

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