play-by-play

adjective

ˈplā-ˌbī-ˌplā 

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

Complete, reliable, public play-by-play data goes back to 1974. — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

That’ll be on NBC, with Mike Tirico on play-by-play with Cris Collinsworth as the analyst. — Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 4 Oct. 2026

The Portland Trail Blazers fired new play-by-play television broadcaster Braiden Bell on Thursday when past inappropriate social media posts resurfaced just hours after the team announced his hiring. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

Former All-Pro JJ Watt has been filling in for Romo as CBS’ lead NFL analyst, alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for play-by-play

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway