bye

Definition

The position of a person or team in a tournament or competition who draws no opponent in a particular round so advances to the next round unopposed, or is awarded points for a win in a league table; also the phantom opponent of such a person or team.

Etymology

Variant form of by, from Old English bī (“being near”).

Example Sentences

• "Craig's Crew plays the bye next week."
• "The Patriots were in the unique situation of having to play 16 straight games, then have their bye in week 17, whether they needed it or not."
• "The Synod of Dort in some points condemneth, upon the by, even the discipline of the Church of England."