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

And while their place in the NCAA tournament is presumably safe heading into that final stretch, where the Trojans are seeded could swing significantly with a few quality wins. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026

The second big night of high school boys hockey section tournament play again went very much according to seed. —Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 19 Feb. 2026

Lafe confirms that under the contract the anglers signed with DTF, the league has 30 calendar days to pay out the tournament winnings. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 19 Feb. 2026

The Americans have romped through the field in winning all six games by a combined margin of 31-1, and haven’t allowed a goal since the second period of a tournament-opening 5-1 win over Czechia. —ABC News, 19 Feb. 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