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.
In the second half, Mostafa Zico made it 2-0 to Egypt, moments after the Pharaohs had a goal disallowed by instant replay for a foul that occurred at the other end of the pitch.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026
NFL instant replay pooh-bah Mark Butterworth later explained the ruling thusly:
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 9, 2025
The call was overturned by instant replay, and Hudson retired the next two batters to keep the deficit at one.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2024
Even with instant replay, plenty of calls are missed.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 11, 2023
The official pulled out a tablet to watch an instant replay of the incident.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 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.
