a trial of skill in some game, in which competitors play a series of contests: a chess tournament.
a meeting for contests in a variety of sports, as between teams of different nations.
History/Historical.
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.
a meeting at an appointed time and place for the performance of knightly exercises and sports.
Origin of tournament
1175–1225;Middle Englishtornement < Old Frenchtorneiement, equivalent to torne(ier) to tourney + -ment-ment
a sporting competition in which contestants play a series of games to determine an overall winner
a meeting for athletic or other sporting contestantsan archery tournament
medieval history
(originally) a martial sport or contest in which mounted combatants fought for a prize
(later) a meeting for knightly sports and exercises
Word Origin for tournament
C13: from Old French torneiement, from torneier to fight on horseback, literally: to turn, from the constant wheeling round of the combatants; see tourney
c.1300, "medieval martial arts contest," from Old French torneiement "contest between groups of knights on horseback" (mid-12c.), from torneier "to joust, tilt" (see tourney). Modern use, in reference to games of skill, is recorded from 1761.
