tennis

[ ten-is ]

noun

1. a game played on a rectangular court by two players or two pairs of players equipped with rackets, in which a ball is driven back and forth over a low net that divides the court in half.

tennis

/ ˈtɛnɪs /

noun

1. 1. a racket game played between two players or pairs of players who hit a ball to and fro over a net on a rectangular court of grass, asphalt, clay, etc See also lawn tennis real tennis court tennis table tennis
   2. ( as modifier )

      tennis court

      tennis racket

Word History and Origins

Origin of tennis¹

1350–1400; Middle English tenetz, ten ( e ) ys < Anglo-French: take!, imperative plural of tenir to hold, take, receive, apparently used as a server's call

Word History and Origins

Origin of tennis¹

C14: probably from Anglo-French tenetz hold (imperative), from Old French tenir to hold, from Latin tenēre

Example Sentences

Rafael Nadal says he would like to be remembered as "a kid who followed their dreams" as the tennis great bid a poignant farewell to the sport.

From BBC

Sonny even incinerated her tennis clothes when he learned that she had talked to some men after a private lesson.

From Los Angeles Times

Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, will retire from tennis after representing his nation at the men's team event in Malaga.

From BBC

At this week's Davis Cup Finals, which start on Tuesday, one of the tennis greats will say goodbye.

From BBC

It’s hard to perfect, and still new to tennis myself, I’m afraid I’ll never get it.

From Los Angeles Times