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

This year's busy esports season for "Siege" follows on from last year's revamp of its systems and graphics, which "laid the foundations for the 10 years ahead," he added.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

In South Korea, the popularity of televised “StarCraft” tournaments inspired modern esports.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

RAF Air Specialist Roman Davies plays Rocket League - a popular online multiplayer game - for the RAF Stormshadows team at esports tournaments.

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2026

"Saudi Arabia is one of very few countries in the world that has an official government policy aimed at building its esports economy," Prof Chadwick said.

From BBC • Oct. 1, 2025

PIF established its own unit known as Savvy Games Group in 2021 to build out a more robust portfolio of acquisitions and investments in gaming and esports businesses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 26, 2025