tournament

[toor-nuh-muhnt, tur-]

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.

tournament

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• pretournament noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tournament¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tournament¹

C13: from Old French torneiement, from torneier to fight on horseback, literally: to turn, from the constant wheeling round of the combatants; see _tourney

Example Sentences

Should the UK's bid be confirmed, the 2035 tournament will be the second time a World Cup has been held in the home nations after the 1966 men's tournament in England.

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The tournament will take place earlier than usual between 9 January and 5 February.

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The Home Office says there is evidence that sales of fake kits spike in the lead-up to tournaments, with a rise expected before next summer's World Cup.

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With their title hopes in tatters, Liverpool can't be certain of reaching the Champions League last 16 either after a second defeat in five games in the tournament.

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James feared she would get a three-match suspension, meaning she would be ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.

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Related Words

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