tournament

American  

[toor-nuh-muhnt, tur-] / ˈtʊər nə mənt, ˈtɜr- /

noun

1. a trial of skill in some game, in which competitors play a series of contests.

   a chess tournament.

2. a meeting for contests in a variety of sports, as between teams of different nations.

3. History/Historical.

   1. a contest or martial sport in which two opposing parties of mounted and armored combatants fought for a prize, with blunted weapons and in accordance with certain rules.

   2. a meeting at an appointed time and place for the performance of knightly exercises and sports.

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tournament British  

/ ˈtɜː-, ˈtʊənəmənt, ˈtɔː- /

noun

1. a sporting competition in which contestants play a series of games to determine an overall winner

2. a meeting for athletic or other sporting contestants

   an archery tournament

3. medieval history

   1. (originally) a martial sport or contest in which mounted combatants fought for a prize

   2. (later) a meeting for knightly sports and exercises

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Other Word Forms

• pretournament noun

Etymology

Origin of tournament

1175–1225; Middle English tornement < Old French torneiement, equivalent to torne ( ier ) to tourney + -ment -ment

Explanation

A tournament refers to a gathering of competitors playing a series of games. There are chess tournaments, golf tournaments, tennis tournaments, and a number of tournaments titled “Tournament of Champions.” In medieval times, large groups of knights would gather and compete in a tournament. These tournaments were composed of a number of fighting events. In the melee event, the knights were divided into two teams which would ride at each other with lances, trying to unhorse the opposing knights. There is evidence that weapons were not blunted for these tournaments. Ouch.

Example Sentences

Either way, concerns about empty seats may be overblown since the fourth and final phase of ticket sales didn’t begin until April 1 and tournament organizers are confident demand will match inventory.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Two days into the tournament, McIlroy was at 12-under and held the biggest ever advantage at the tournament’s midway point.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

“I think all of my perseverance at this golf tournament over the years has really started to pay off.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

Prior to the tournament, Mitchell lost four of his matchday squad from the World Cup final to pregnancies.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Continually besieged by newsmen, photographers, and autograph hunters, he finally put a stop to it all: By the midpoint of the tournament he wouldn’t pose for a photo, sign his autograph, or answer any question.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Related Words

• contest
• event
• fight
• match
• meeting
• series
• sport
• test
• tourney