instant replay
Americannoun
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British, action replay. Television.
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the recording and immediate rebroadcasting of a segment of a live television broadcast, especially of a sports event.
an instant replay of the touchdown pass.
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a segment recorded and immediately rebroadcast.
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Informal. the repetition, review, or reenactment of something immediately or soon after its initial occurrence.
noun
Etymology
Origin of instant replay
An Americanism dating back to 1965–70
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.
There are advantages to not being there: At home, you have instant replay, closeups, announcers providing a stream of information, or Mr. Tucci sparing you the plane flight and calories.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026
The game-ending double play was reviewed by instant replay, so Glasnow missed out on the trademark closer experience: the last out, immediately followed by the handshake line.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2025
The official pulled out a tablet to watch an instant replay of the incident.
From BBC • Aug. 29, 2023
Nowadays, instant replay could fix that - but it would be reviewed immediately.
From Washington Times • May 18, 2023
The Los Angeles Chargers proposed adjustment of the play clock following an instant replay reversal consistent with other timing rules.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 13, 2023
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
