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.

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Etymology

Origin of tiebreaker

First recorded in 1960–65; tie + breaker ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tiebreaker

That was partly caused by the need to send third-placed teams through and Fifa deciding to use head to head as the first group stage tiebreaker.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

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

They are the first ever World Cup using head-to-head records instead of goal difference as the primary tiebreaker for countries level on points.

From BBC ● Jun. 23, 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

Nothing except for a tweet about a hot dog eating contest with some dude named Arthur and a demand for a tiebreaker.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera