game point

American  

noun

1. (in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) the point that if won would enable the scorer or the scorer's side to win the game.

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game point British  

noun

1. tennis squash badminton a stage at which winning one further point would enable one player or side to win a game

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Etymology

Origin of game point

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Kartal sent a backhand long when game point down at 4-4, but this was not detected by the line-call system, which instead made two automated calls of "stop".

From BBC • Jul. 7, 2025

Swiatek had two match points at 15-40 in the last game but again Collins rallied, saving those and getting a game point with a trademark forehand winner deep to Swiatek’s backhand side.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 17, 2024

"We didn’t talk about Kentucky at all coming into this game," point guard Wendell Green Jr. said.

From Fox News • Jan. 20, 2022

At game point, one of Rubin’s teammates missed a serve, badly, to lose the match.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 23, 2021

We had game point and they were one behind us, with the ball.

From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña