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

• bout
• competition
• contest
• event
• game
• match
• matchup
• meet
• sweepstakes
• sweep-stake
• 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

Unrivaled Sports is buying a sprawling Texas property known for its baseball tournaments as the youth sports industry continues to evolve toward using team sports as the basis for creating broader family experiences. —Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 2 Jan. 2025

Appearing in qualifying matches for one of those tournaments would not prohibit them switching teams. —Laia Cervelló Herrero, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025

Dvorkovich released a statement announcing that FIDE would loosen its dress code policy for this tournament. —Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, 31 Dec. 2024

What's less clear is how this would affect tournaments and leagues that register via alternative platforms (like the industry leader pickleballbrackets.com). —Todd Boss, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

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