swordplay

noun

sword·​play ˈsȯrd-ˌplā How to pronounce swordplay (audio)
1
: the art or skill of wielding a sword especially in fencing
2
: an exhibition of swordplay
swordplayer noun

Examples of swordplay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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First there was Genshin Impact; then Black Myth: Wukong; next up is Lost Soul Aside, a third-person action game of brain-smoothing, balletic swordplay. Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 23 May 2025 Their desperate swordplay takes them racing up along a set of balconies above a tiled throne room. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2024 Anime-horror master Yoshiaki Kawajiri directs, and X is full of hallucinatory visions of the end times: flowing ribbons, angelic wings, and clanging swordplay are all animated beautifully. Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2024 Rather than lean fully into the wizardry, boss fights usually require at least a bit of swordplay regardless. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for swordplay

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of swordplay was in 1602

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Cite this Entry

“Swordplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swordplay. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

swordplay

noun
sword·​play -ˌplā How to pronounce swordplay (audio)
: the art or skill of using a sword especially in fencing
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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