spectator sport

American  

noun

1. any sport that can be watched by spectators, as football or basketball, usually for a fee.

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spectator sport British  

noun

1. a sport that attracts more people as spectators than as participants

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Etymology

Origin of spectator sport

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spectator sport

For years I’ve called the Herndon Climb America’s next great spectator sport.

From Slate ● Jun. 24, 2026

As a venture investor, Parillo developed a thesis on trading competitions becoming a spectator sport long before he participated in one.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 13, 2026

But, Rosenfield said, “When we take joy in the distress and ruination of other people, we make monsters of ourselves,” in that the internet has turned public shaming into a gleeful, global spectator sport.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2025

For the last three decades, badminton has been a competitive Olympic sport, and with "bird" speeds topping 300 mph in "smash" shots, it certainly makes for exciting spectator sport.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 9, 2024

I wondered if I should have brought along my boyfriend to make the experience feel more real or important, but I hadn't expected it to be a spectator sport.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi