variants or e-sport
plural esports or e-sports
: a multiplayer video game used as the basis for an organized competition
Rapa has played over 10,000 hours of "League of Legends" since the game's release. He thinks the complexity of the game is what turns kids away from trying it out as an esport.James Lotts
Though women make up nearly half of all US gamers, the number decreases to a third for games that are considered an esportMelissah Yang
What has made Overwatch League unique compared to other leagues in the multibillion-dollar world of esports is attaching teams to cities and trying to build a hometown fan base like traditional sports.Arash Markazi
For almost a decade, pro-circuit video gaming has been inching toward acceptance as an e-sport.Alan Feuer
often used before another noun
esport gaming
esport players
also : the activity of engaging in esports
Four teams are in the semi-finals this weekend. That's how a semi-final works, even in esport. Megan Stewart

Examples of esport 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.
One aspect of Apex esports that sets it apart from the pack is the unique way in which its championship is crowned. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2025 Once the ship had been steadied, Chahine, who is clearly someone who is never satisfied with just coasting, started the mammoth task to grow NiP into more than just an esports team. Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 8 Feb. 2025 The brand has expanded upon its multiyear partnership with McLaren this year to encompass its Formula E and esports divisions — driving an increase of 985 percent engagement for the brand’s social media in comparison to its yearly average. Kanika Talwar, WWD, 21 Nov. 2024 That could include following gaming channels or esport broadcasters, listening to gaming podcasts and/or attending large in-person gaming conventions, Sivachelvam said. Michelle Fox, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2025 Chahine is clearly an intelligent person, and his experience in finance has obviously helped him during this esports journey, making decisions that traditional esports execs may not have made. Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 8 Feb. 2025 Like many athletes, esports pros tend to end their careers relatively young. Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 4 Feb. 2025 As esports have continued to grow in popularity internationally, so too has the scope of the spectacles around their live events. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2025 Dinsmore points to a crossover event with soccer’s European Champions League, where the esports champion was crowned the day before the Champions League final itself. Barry Collins, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1999, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of esport was in 1999

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Esport.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/esport. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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