all comers: everybody who comes or arrives; anybody. Cf. all-comers, adj. n.

A second or subsequent game, played esp. in order to overturn an earlier loss; a return match, a rematch. Also: a later game. Frequently figurative.

A preliminary game; literal and figurative. Cf. after-game, n. adj.

An opportunity for retaliation; a chance to win after an earlier defeat; spec. a return game. Frequently in to give one (one's) revenge. Obsolete.

Originally and chiefly Horse Racing. A silver or gold trophy given to the winner of a race or other sporting contest; (hence) a contest, esp. a horse…

Originally Pugilism. The action of ‘setting to’ (to set to 6b at set, v.1 phrasal verbs 2); hence, a bout or round; a pugilistic encounter or…

a match between teams who have previously competed against each other, esp. recently; also figurative and attributive.

A term used in various games and sports. A by-match or ‘event’; one not in the programme. esp. in Cockfighting: in full bye-battle (also transferred…

anybody's game (also race, match) and variants: a contest which either side or any competitor could win; an evenly balanced contest. Also figurative…

Sport. A return match or bout.

British, Australian, and New Zealand slang. A sporting contest (esp. a boxing or wrestling match) in which the result has been arranged…

In specific sports: a competition or tournament, esp. one held between players from different clubs or districts. In Bowling and Bowls.

Sport. Any race or competition in which an attempt is made to equalize the chances of the competitors by giving an advantage (such as a head start)…

North American. Sport. A flag symbolizing a league championship; (by metonymy) the championship itself. Frequently attributive.

North American. A pair of matches between two teams where each team plays one of the matches at home.

A final deciding race or other contest, held after a tie or inconclusive result.

Sport. A game or contest between teams or players representing two or more countries.

a tournament in which each competitor plays each of the others in turn; opposed to knockout.

Any of various important competitive events in sports other than horse or motor racing. Also figurative.

In various specific or technical senses. Tennis, Golf, etc. A game or match in which only one person on each side plays at one time. Usually in plural…

Sport (originally and chiefly Association Football). A game or match that does not form part of a serious competition, as a cup or league, typically…

A sporting event which anyone may enter. Cf. open, n. 6.

Specific elliptical uses. In plural. Sport and Games. A competition, match, etc., contested by pairs of players.

A competition or contest for the position of champion; a series of matches between members of a sporting league.

Originally U.S. A tournament in which every player or team competes once with each of the others. Frequently attributive.

Sport. A replayed match, esp. a knockout match played again because the original fixture ended in a draw.

= Olympic Games, n. 1b; (also) a period of four years between these Games.

The second highest classification of school or university sport, ranking after first or varsity; a team having this classification. Also in…

Any sporting tournament or competition that takes place over a shortened period of time.

A return match or contest.

North American. A series of sporting fixtures played away from home.

colloquial. An informal game played between impromptu teams. Cf. sense B. 2. Now rare.

Sport. A freestyle sporting event, competition, or discipline; a technique or method used in this.

Any long-distance race, competition, or event calling for endurance, esp. one undertaken in order to raise money or publicize a cause.

Cricket and Rugby. Short for test match n. at compounds 2. In South African usage, an international match in any of a wide range of games and…

Applied to any kind of important sporting contest; also air Derby (see also aerial Derby, s.v. aerial, adj. 1); local Derby, a match between two…

Chiefly North American Sport (originally American Football). A game which does not form part of a tournament, or whose outcome does not affect a…

Sport. A game, match, etc., the loser of which is eliminated from the tournament or competition; (Boxing) a match in which the winner earns the…

A game, dance, etc. for two persons.

Sport. A match held to select players for a major team; esp. in Rugby. Cf. trial match n. at compounds 1a.

A competition, esp. a sporting event, involving four participants or teams.

a hard-hitting contest, spec. in boxing and baseball.

University. Now (in the U.K.) somewhat jocular except in varsity match, a sporting contest, esp. the annual Rugby football match between the…

a performance, game, or (now chiefly) fight that takes place before the main event, esp. as the first event on the bill; a curtain-raiser; (also)…

a sporting contest attracting much interest and excitement, or arousing exceptional personal antagonism between the contestants; a closely or…

Sport. A competition, tournament, etc., which anyone may enter.

A ‘knock-out’ competition: see A. c.

figurative and in extended use. Sport (originally North American). In plural. In an informal game played without different team colours: the…

In plural. In the names of competitions held in various sports for invited competitors.

= pro-am, n. 1.

Sport (chiefly U.S.). An event that serves as a practice for a subsequent one.

Any of various sporting competitions contested by national teams or by teams representing their country; (also) a trophy awarded to the winner of…

An event, esp. a golfing tournament, in which professionals and amateurs perform or play together.

U.S. colloquial. Without article. Chiefly in school sport: a statewide championship or competition. In singular. Originally regional (Texas).

A lively, exciting time or event, esp. in Sport. Originally and chiefly U.S.

An event featuring long-distance or protracted running; esp. one undertaken in order to raise money for charity.

spec. An unequal or unfair sporting contest.

A short session of play or participation in a sporting fixture by a player, esp. after a period of absence due to injury. Also: a sporting fixture…

Sport. A sporting contest arranged between two players or teams; a situation in which two specific players directly oppose one another. Also: (Bask…

colloquial. North American. A game won by a very narrow margin.

In baseball, etc., a sporting event at which three consecutive matches are staged. Also transferred and figurative.

Chiefly U.S. With of or modifying word. In extended use: the foremost event in a specified sport. Also figurative: the most notable or important…

Characterized by invitation. Also as n., an invitational tournament (? only North American).

Sport. A major tournament, championship, etc.

A match or contest that is particularly hard-fought or physically aggressive. Also: a violent or severe blow, collision between players, etc.