sport

Definition

Any activity that uses physical exertion or skills competitively under a set of rules that is not based on aesthetics.

Etymology

From Middle English sporten (“to divert, disport”, verb) and sport, spoort, sporte (noun), apheretic shortenings of disporten (verb) and disport, disporte (noun), from Old French desporter (“to divert, amuse, please, play; to seek amusement”), etymologically meaning "to carry away (the mind from serious matters)," from des- + porter, from Latin dis- + Latin portāre, ultimately from Latin deportāre, from de- + portāre, from Proto-Indo-European *per- (“to lead, pass over”)). Replaced native English laik, lake (“sport, fun, amusement”), and Middle English spile, spyl (“fun, sport, play”). More at disport. Doublet of disport and deport.

Example Sentences

• "Basketball is her favorite sport, and she also enjoys various other sports as well."
• "Sport can be an excellent form of exercise because the competition and sense of achievement can help with both motivation and pleasure."
• "Jen may have won, but she was sure a poor sport; she laughed at the loser."