tiebreaker

American  

[tahy-brey-ker] / ˈtaɪˌbreɪ kər /

Often tiebreak

noun

1. a system for breaking a tie score at the end of regulation play by establishing a winner through special additional play, usually of a fairly short duration, as in tennis and soccer.

---

Etymology

Origin of tiebreaker

First recorded in 1960–65; tie + breaker ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tiebreaker

The buzz: Germany scored 10 goals in the group stage, but the four-time tournament champions lost to Ecuador and had to rely on a tiebreaker to win the group over the Ivory Coast.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 28, 2026

Using head to head as the first tiebreaker is nothing new.

From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026

For the first time at a World Cup, Fifa is using head-to-head records instead of group goal difference as the primary tiebreaker for teams level on points.

From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026

Because the Lakers won the tiebreaker over the Nuggets, they would get the higher seed over Denver if the two teams finish with identical records.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 11, 2026

She’s good like Sneaky, and they both win a game before Sneaky takes the tiebreaker.

From "Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero" by Kelly J. Baptist