tiebreaker

American

[tahy-brey-ker] / ˈtaɪˌbreɪ kər /

Often tiebreak

noun

a system for breaking a tie score at the end of regulation play by establishing a winner through special additional play, usually of a fairly short duration, as in tennis and soccer.

Etymology

Origin of tiebreaker

First recorded in 1960–65; tie + breaker ¹

Vocabulary lists containing tiebreaker

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This can be hard to figure out in 50/50 custody arrangements, and so some families revert to the parent who provides the most financial support as a tiebreaker.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

With the win and a tiebreaker against Denver, the Lakers moved into fifth in the Western Conference.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

The Broncos have the tiebreaker edge on the Patriots so just need to win, but should Denver stumble, New England can bag top spot with a win over Miami.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2025

The quintet was so hopelessly tangled that it took the fifth tiebreaker, the combined win-percentage of conference opponents, to determine who would meet the Cavaliers in Charlotte.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 3, 2025

She’s good like Sneaky, and they both win a game before Sneaky takes the tiebreaker.

From "Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero" by Kelly J. Baptist

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023