esports

American  

[ee-spawrts] / ˈiˌspɔrts /

Or e-sports

noun

1. (usually used with a plural verb) competitive tournaments of video games, especially among professional gamers.

2. (used with a singular verb) esport, a video game suited to or popular in this kind of tournament.

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adjective

1. of or relating to esports.

   an esports event;

   esports gambling.

Etymology

Origin of esports

First recorded in 1995–2000; e- ² (electronic) + sports

Example Sentences

However, while it remains a leader in gaming and esports, Twitch's share of the overall live streaming market is being steadily eroded by YouTube Live, TikTok Live and a direct competitor, Kick.

From Barron's • May 30, 2026

After DeepMind’s AlphaGo computer program defeated world champion Lee Sedol in 2016, the lab set its sights on the game “StarCraft II” — widely deemed one of the hardest esports ever.

From MarketWatch • May 23, 2026

In this race, a team of esports athletes stare forward at a screen instead of the starting line.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

There is also a Formula One racetrack, a soccer stadium and an esports venue under construction in Qiddiya.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

In January, she made her first appearance as a commentator at a major esports event.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026