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
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
The tournament belonged to Michael Brennan, a 23-year-old rising star who turned a sponsor exemption into a career-defining win.
—
Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Despite finishing outside of the top five in 2024-25, Spurs were able to qualify for the tournament after claiming the Europa League crown in May.
—Aaron Tolentino, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Baseball was played as an Olympic sport from 1992 until 2008 and in 2021, and in those years, only minor league players outside each club’s 40-man rosters or free agents were able to participate in the Olympic baseball tournament.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 26 Oct. 2025
The September event was their first official charity tournament—and a resounding success.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tournament
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Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Despite finishing outside of the top five in 2024-25, Spurs were able to qualify for the tournament after claiming the Europa League crown in May.
—Aaron Tolentino, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Baseball was played as an Olympic sport from 1992 until 2008 and in 2021, and in those years, only minor league players outside each club’s 40-man rosters or free agents were able to participate in the Olympic baseball tournament.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 26 Oct. 2025
The September event was their first official charity tournament—and a resounding success.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tournament
Cite this Entry
“Tournament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tournament. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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