plural sports
1
a
: a contest or game in which people do certain physical activities according to a specific set of rules and compete against each other
My favorite (competitive) sports are tennis and volleyball.
the sport of boxing
Do you play a sport? = Do you play any sports?
Baseball is a team sport. [=a sport played by teams]
—often used in the plural especially in U.S. English to refer to sports in a general wayMy brother likes sports. [=he enjoys playing and/or watching games such as football, baseball, basketball, golf, etc.]
I like watching sports on TV.
She likes to play sports.
b
British
: sports in general
He's not interested in sport. [=(US) sports]
She likes to play sport.
2
: a physical activity (such as hunting, fishing, running, swimming, etc.) that is done for enjoyment
Ice-skating with friends is my favorite sport.
He hunts and fishes for sport. [=he hunts and fishes because he enjoys it and not as a job or because he needs food for survival]
3
a
—used with good, bad, etc., to say if someone has behaved politely or not after losing a game or contest
He lost but he was a good sport about it. [=he was not rude or angry about losing]
Don't be a poor/bad sport. [=don't be angry or rude if you lose]
b
informal + old-fashioned
: someone who is kind or generous
Be a (good) sport and let him play with you.
c
informal + old-fashioned
—used as a friendly way to address someone (especially a man)
See you later, sport.
Hey, sport [=buddy]. Can you tell me where the nearest gas station is?
always used before a noun
1
: done for enjoyment rather than as a job or for food for survival
sport fishing/hunting
2
chiefly US
: participating in an activity (such as hunting or fishing) for enjoyment rather than as a job or for food for survival
a sport fisherman
sports; sported; sporting
1
: to wear (something) in a way that attracts attention
She showed up at the party sporting a bright red hat.
2
literary
: to play in a happy and lively way
The lambs sported [=frolicked] in the meadow.
Cite this Entry
“Sport.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/sport. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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