Synonyms

play-by-play

American

[pley-bahy-pley] / ˈpleɪ baɪˈpleɪ /

adjective

pertaining to or being a detailed account of each incident or act of an event, as in sports.

a play-by-play broadcast of a baseball game.

noun

a detailed and sequential description of a sports contest or other event, as by a sportscaster, usually as it is taking place.

Usage

What does play-by-play mean? A play-by-play is a running commentary on or a detailed summary of an event, used especially in sports.

Etymology

Origin of play-by-play

First recorded in 1925–30

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.

The show, these announcers doing corny play by play ... it’s hard to watch.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2026

“It was essentially a play by play of what was happening in the sky.”

From Washington Post • Mar. 8, 2023

"I will, soon, write up a more complete post on the play by play."

From Reuters • Nov. 12, 2022

“I spent like three hours going over the playbook then. I think Coach Hackett did a good job of explaining the plays, play by play, what each guy has,” Gordon said.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 15, 2022

There was a good deal more about the game, almost a complete play by play account, but Peter, peeking over the edge of the letter saw that Maria was yawning.

From The Boy Grew Older by Broun, Heywood

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023