B2noun3K

Tournament

UK /["/ˈtʊənəmənt//ˈtɔːnəmənt/"]/US /["/ˈtʊrnəmənt/"]/

Definition

a sports competition involving a number of teams or players who take part in different games and must leave the competition if they lose. The competition continues until there is only the winner left.

In simple words: A competition between people or teams to see who is the best.

Examples

  • a **golf/tennis/soccer/chess tournament**
  • Several top teams have agreed to play (in) the tournament.
  • She retired from tournament golf last year.
  • The loser will be out of the tournament.
  • her first tournament win of the season
  • He has criticized tournament organizers for ticketing problems.
  • I was invited to compete in a charity five-a-side tournament.
  • She finished fifth in the Olympic qualifying tournament.
  • a medieval jousting tournament

Usage notes

Usually used in sports or games. Not appropriate for casual conversation unless discussing sports or competitions.

Grammar pattern

tournament + noun

Memory hint

Think of 'tour' + 'ment' - a trip to see who wins.

Collocations

  • basketball
  • chess
  • golf
  • enter
  • play
  • play in
  • take place
  • victory
  • win
  • leader
  • in a/​the tournament
  • out of a/​the tournament

Synonyms

  • competition
  • contest
  • championship
  • series
  • event

Antonyms

  • friendly match
  • exhibition

Common mistakes

  • Confusing with 'tournment' - the correct spelling has an 'a'.
  • Using it as a verb - 'tournament' is a noun only.
  • Mixing up the meaning with 'trophy' - a tournament is the event, a trophy is the prize.