play-by-play

adjective

ˈplā-ˌbī-ˌplā How to pronounce play-by-play (audio)
ˌplā-ˌbī-ˈplā
1
: being or giving a running commentary on a sports event
a radio play-by-play announcer
2
: relating each event as it occurs
play-by-play noun

Examples of play-by-play in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In fact, over the last three seasons, the team that posted the higher passing EPA (a metric accounting for success on a play-by-play basis) in games won 77 percent of the time, according to TruMedia. Alec Lewis, New York Times, 22 May 2025 Teams up at least that much in the final 2:50 of the fourth quarter or overtime of a postseason tilt in the play-by-play era were 977-0, per Nate Duncan of Dunc'd On Prime. Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 Miller is part of TNT’s broadcast team for the Eastern Conference Finals, serving as an analyst alongside play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan, analyst Stan Van Gundy and reporter Allie LaForce. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 May 2025 His Insider’s Vision of a Family Riven by Its Shanty Town’s Demolition in Critics’ Week’s ‘Sleepless City’ TNT’s Charles Barkley was recognized for studio analyst, ESPN’s Peyton Manning for event analyst, and Fox’s Joe Davis for play-by-play. Michael Schneider, Variety, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for play-by-play

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of play-by-play was in 1927

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Cite this Entry

“Play-by-play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play-by-play. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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