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 Words From

• pre·tourna·ment 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

It follows the decision by the GAA to slightly modify the stadium design after plans to host some games of the Euro 2028 football tournament in the stadium were dropped.

From BBC

Qualifying for the 2022 World Cup was a significant achievement for Wales, but at the tournament in Qatar they were desperately disappointing as they were knocked out in the first round.

From BBC

The USA team had won a global tournament in 1991, which was retrospectively rebranded as the Women's World Cup, but had received little recognition for the title.

From BBC

The tournament will resume next year with the knockout stages, plus relegation and promotion play-offs.

From BBC

It means Britain's wait for a first title in the tournament goes on.

From BBC

Related Words

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