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

Messi, one of the greatest players of all time, led Argentina to a World Cup victory in 2022 and a second-place finish in this year’s global tournament. — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Roberts arrived in Los Angeles with a reputation as one of college basketball’s top offensive minds after leading Utah to three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and back-to-back Sweet 16 berths. — Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Build or start your comic book collection, enter a golf tournament, go on a spooky field trip, see a classic horror-comedy, or get some exercise at a fundraiser. — John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 24 Sep. 2026

Bela Bajaria, who grew up in North London, not far from Wembley, the site of England’s last World Cup success in 1966, wants Netflix to be in the conversation for the rights to the biggest soccer tournament in the world. — Peter White, Deadline, 24 Sep. 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