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
Thursday was the fifth time Indiana has overcome a 15+ point deficit in this postseason, which is the most since 1997 when the play-by-play era began.
—
Shane Young, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
His son, Todd, has called most of Jose Altuve’s career as TV play-by-play man for the Houston Astros.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 2 June 2025
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
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Shane Young, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
His son, Todd, has called most of Jose Altuve’s career as TV play-by-play man for the Houston Astros.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 2 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for play-by-play
Cite this Entry
“Play-by-play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play-by-play. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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