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

Fishing in Bella Vista is normally only for Property Owners Association members and their guests, but that has been waived for the tournament. —Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2025

Didn’t complain about the rookie tournament. —Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025

He was tied for third for the tournament with Rasmus Højgaard and Danny Walker. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025

In many ways, her course to victory in the final reflected the challenges Anisimova has faced throughout the tournament. —Frank Nunns O'Connell, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 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