Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

instant replay

American  
[in-stuhnt ree-pley] / ˈɪn stənt ˈriˌpleɪ /

noun

  1. British, action replayTelevision.

    1. 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.

    2. a segment recorded and immediately rebroadcast.

  2. Informal. the repetition, review, or reenactment of something immediately or soon after its initial occurrence.


instant replay British  

noun

  1. another name for action replay

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

See Examples For:

Fans around the globe, regardless of rooting interest, have come together to decry a common enemy: soccer’s instant replay.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 13, 2026

For the last time, there is no instant replay in touch football.

From The Wall Street Journal Nov. 26, 2025

The official pulled out a tablet to watch an instant replay of the incident.

From BBC Aug. 29, 2023

But Trejo nicked the bag with a toe, got up and fired to first for a double play that was upheld after an instant replay.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 11, 2023

The debate persists today, even as instant replay becomes increasingly normalized.

From Washington Times May 18, 2023

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training