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
Jim Nantz will be on the call for play-by-play with analysis from Tony Romo.
—
Mike Darnay, CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
Fans can catch the game on CBS with Ian Eagle (play-by-play), JJ Watt (analyst) and Evan Washburn (sideline reporter).
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 28 Dec. 2025
Ian Eagle is doing the play-by-play, Matt Ryan and Nate Burleson will analyze the game, and Melanie Collins and Sara Walsh will be sideline reporters.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 25 Dec. 2025
As for the Thursday Night Football game between the Broncos and Chiefs, Al Michaels will serve as the play-by-play announcer, with Kirk Herbstreit as analyst and Kaylee Hartung as sideline reporter.
—Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play-by-play
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Mike Darnay, CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
Fans can catch the game on CBS with Ian Eagle (play-by-play), JJ Watt (analyst) and Evan Washburn (sideline reporter).
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 28 Dec. 2025
Ian Eagle is doing the play-by-play, Matt Ryan and Nate Burleson will analyze the game, and Melanie Collins and Sara Walsh will be sideline reporters.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 25 Dec. 2025
As for the Thursday Night Football game between the Broncos and Chiefs, Al Michaels will serve as the play-by-play announcer, with Kirk Herbstreit as analyst and Kaylee Hartung as sideline reporter.
—Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 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 31 Dec. 2025.
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