tennis

American  

[ten-is] / ˈtɛn ɪs /

noun

1. a game played on a rectangular court by two players or two pairs of players equipped with rackets, in which a ball is driven back and forth over a low net that divides the court in half.

---

tennis British  

/ ˈtɛnɪs /

noun

1. 1. a racket game played between two players or pairs of players who hit a ball to and fro over a net on a rectangular court of grass, asphalt, clay, etc See also lawn tennis real tennis court tennis table tennis

   2. ( as modifier )

      tennis court

      tennis racket

---

Etymology

Origin of tennis

1350–1400; Middle English tenetz, ten ( e ) ys < Anglo-French: take!, imperative plural of tenir to hold, take, receive, apparently used as a server's call

Example Sentences

The country’s resident tennis prodigy, Jannik Sinner, has four major titles and counting.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The 20 Make Great Plays members play soccer, baseball, lacrosse, tennis and volleyball at Westlake High.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

"I'd love to play table tennis as a living."

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Why is Bernabeu hosting Madrid Open tennis stars?

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Lumpy looking gangly months later, tennis ball in his mouth.

From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence