sports

American  

[spawrts, spohrts] / spɔrts, spoʊrts /

adjective

1. of or relating to a sport or sports, especially of the open-air or athletic kind.

   a sports festival.

2. (of garments, equipment, etc.) suitable for use in open-air sports or for outdoor or informal use.

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sports British  

/ spɔːts /

noun

1. (modifier) relating to, concerned with, or used in sports

   sports equipment

2. (modifier) relating to or similar to a sports car

   sports seats

3. Also called: sports day.  a meeting held at a school or college for competitions in various athletic events

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Etymology

Origin of sports

First recorded in 1910–15; sport + -s ³

Example Sentences

“We are a sports organization. We understand politics and we know we don’t operate in a vacuum,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

The sports psychologist they saw, together and individually, pointed out that they obviously cared about each other.

From The Wall Street Journal

Canada’s heel turn has come in curling, of all sports.

From The Wall Street Journal

In other sports we are having an extended conversation about Olympic pressure, and whether there’s something about Games which causes even the best to unravel at the worst possible time.

From The Wall Street Journal

With obscure sports, fewer events and far more clothing, the Winter Olympics have always been weird.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• business
• play
• sport