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

Example Sentences

He doesn’t need more tournaments nor endorsements nor any of us to further valorize his athletic accomplishments.

From The Wall Street Journal

They might be the difference going into the toughest parts of the tournament.

From Los Angeles Times

That would have been one of the big takeaways from that tournament - the need to hold on to the energy and feelgood that got them there in the first place.

From BBC

A final opportunity to mould a team capable of competing in this summer's tournament - and for any players hoping to force their way into Thomas Tuchel's plans.

From BBC

"I want to play. I love the tournament."

From BBC

Related Words

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