by-play

or by·play

[ bahy-pley ]

noun

1. an action or speech carried on to the side while the main action proceeds, especially on the stage.

by-play

noun

1. secondary action or talking carried on apart while the main action proceeds, esp in a play

Word History and Origins

Origin of by-play¹

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

Sometimes all, as with one consent, suspended their by-play to observe and listen to the principal actors: for, after all, Mr. Rochester and—because closely connected with him—Miss Ingram were the life and soul of the party.

From Literature

Except that the man in the middle of the latest Concacaf shenanigans, the unfortunate Mark Geiger, is not one of the usual suspects in the kind of by-play that the confederation has been associated with in recent years.

From The Guardian

To offset this, I’d dream up a Yankee and/or Giant game and channel the play–by-play call after Bob Sheppard’s introductions and the national anthem.

From New York Times

Between these teams, the by-play, the needles, the paybacks, are building.

From Washington Post

Hodgson got the open part of the session under way with a swift clap of the hands and an arm around Raheem Sterling before a piece of by-play with Sir Trevor Brooking as he walked laps of the training pitch.

From BBC