tournament Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a sporting competition in which contestants play a series of games to decide the winner
tourney.
noun a series of jousts between knights contesting for a prize

OE. turnement, tornement, OF. torneiement, tornoiement, F. tournoiement a turning or wheeling round. See Tourney.

A mock fight, or warlike game, formerly in great favor, in which a number of combatants were engaged, as an exhibition of their address and bravery; hence, figuratively, a real battle. "In battle and in tourneyment." Chaucer.
With cruel tournament the squadrons join. Milton.
✍ It different from the joust, which was a trial of skill between one man and another.
Any contest of skill in which there are many contestents for championship; as, a chess tournament.