Synonyms

sports

American

[spawrts, spohrts] / spɔrts, spoʊrts /

adjective

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

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

sports British

/ spɔːts /

noun

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

sports equipment
(modifier) relating to or similar to a sports car

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

"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 sports

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

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.

Receiving recognition and giving back to those rooting for you is among the most memorable parts of the high school sports experience.

From Los Angeles Times

"I think because of the depth and breadth across so many sports and disciplines, it shows that we are not a one-trick pony," said UK Sport's director of performance Kate Baker.

From BBC

There is an adage in sports that it is harder to defend a championship than to win it.

From Los Angeles Times

“We want you to know that we’re listening,” the company that has become the dominant force in licensed sports merchandise and trading card markets in recent years said in a Feb. 2 statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Outside, technology coordinates school sports, helps bus drivers find the right route and maintains students’ health records.

From Los Angeles Times

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