playoff
1 of 2noun
play·off ˈplā-ˌȯf 
variants or less commonly play-off
1
: a final contest, series of contests, or period of play to determine the winner between contestants or teams that have tied
a golf tournament decided by an 18-hole playoff
a sudden-death playoff
2
: a series of contests played after the end of the regular season to determine a championship —usually plural except when used before another noun
Will you watch the playoffs?got tickets to a playoff game
play off
2 of 2verb
played off; playing off; plays off
transitive verb
1
a
: to set in opposition for one's own gain
b
: to set in contrast
2
: to complete the playing of (an interrupted contest)
3
: to break (a tie) by a playoff
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Sep. 2022 Las Vegas took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five WNBA playoff semifinal series after some wild final moments of regulation and a dominant performance in overtime. Tim Booth, ajc, 4 Sep. 2022 Las Vegas took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five WNBA playoff semifinal series after some wild final moments of regulation and a dominant performance in overtime. Tim Booth, oregonlive, 4 Sep. 2022 The Penguins, who haven’t won a playoff series in four years, don’t feel Mike Sullivan is the problem. Matt Porter, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2022 The Bulls continually pushed back his expected return date before officially shutting Ball down during the first-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 But if the Dodgers decide to carry an extra hitter in a shorter playoff series, or need to change course based on injuries or poor performance down the stretch, Vargas could have an opening. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2022 Blown away by a string of playoff losses, love was no longer in the air. Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 Sky await the winner of the Connecticut-Dallas playoff series, with the deciding Game 3 on Wednesday night. Fox News, 24 Aug. 2022 See More
Noun
It’s the second consecutive playoff series for each team that has gone the distance. San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Sep. 2022 Las Vegas took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five WNBA playoff semifinal series after some wild final moments of regulation and a dominant performance in overtime. Tim Booth, ajc, 4 Sep. 2022 Las Vegas took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five WNBA playoff semifinal series after some wild final moments of regulation and a dominant performance in overtime. Tim Booth, oregonlive, 4 Sep. 2022 The Penguins, who haven’t won a playoff series in four years, don’t feel Mike Sullivan is the problem. Matt Porter, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2022 The Bulls continually pushed back his expected return date before officially shutting Ball down during the first-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 But if the Dodgers decide to carry an extra hitter in a shorter playoff series, or need to change course based on injuries or poor performance down the stretch, Vargas could have an opening. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2022 Blown away by a string of playoff losses, love was no longer in the air. Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 Sky await the winner of the Connecticut-Dallas playoff series, with the deciding Game 3 on Wednesday night. Fox News, 24 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1736, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
play-off
noun
ˈplā-ˌȯf
: a game or series of games to determine a championship or to break a tie
play-off
noun
as in championship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- championship
- semifinal
- final
- derby
- tussle
- tournament
- outing
- open
- battle
- skirmish
- scrimmage
- nightcap
- struggle
- national(s)
- triathlon
- tourney
- marathon
- conflict
- field day
- race
- biathlon
- gymkhana
- matchup
- decathlon
- pentathlon
- tug-of-war
- competition
- athletics
- round
- meet
- sport
- contest
- game
- bout
- heptathlon
- sweepstakes
- ultramarathon
- event
- heat
- match
- sweep-stake
- volley
- rally
- set
- run