play-by-play
adjective
ˈplā-ˌbī-ˌplā 
ˌplā-ˌbī-ˈplā
1
: being or giving a running commentary on a sports event
a radio play-by-play announcer
2
: relating each event as it occurs
play-by-play
noun
Examples of play-by-play in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
California More than 9,000 homes, structures damaged or destroyed in Palisades, Eaton fires, officials say
29 minutes ago
Fleming offered a riveting play-by-play of the day’s events.
—
Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
The broadcaster has called 11 Super Bowls, tied with Pat Summerall for the most play-by-play assignments for the event by a television commentator.
—Richard Deitsch, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
That Altadena fire also damaged the radio transmitter used by ESPN LA 710, and USC announced the station wouldn’t be able to air the play-by-play broadcasts of the Trojans’ men’s basketball game at Indiana or the women’s basketball game at Maryland on Wednesday.
—Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
Now, the father-son duo has teamed up as the play-by-play broadcasters for Netflix’s Christmas Day NFL doubleheader.
—Nasha Smith, People.com, 25 Dec. 2024
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Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
The broadcaster has called 11 Super Bowls, tied with Pat Summerall for the most play-by-play assignments for the event by a television commentator.
—Richard Deitsch, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
That Altadena fire also damaged the radio transmitter used by ESPN LA 710, and USC announced the station wouldn’t be able to air the play-by-play broadcasts of the Trojans’ men’s basketball game at Indiana or the women’s basketball game at Maryland on Wednesday.
—Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
Now, the father-son duo has teamed up as the play-by-play broadcasters for Netflix’s Christmas Day NFL doubleheader.
—Nasha Smith, People.com, 25 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for play-by-play
Dictionary Entries Near play-by-play
Cite this Entry
“Play-by-play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play-by-play. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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