Etymology : Middle English, to divert, disport, short for disporten
Pronunciation : spOrt, sport
Function : verb
Date : 15th century
1. game, athletic competition (especially one held outside); athletic activities collectively; recreation; jest; mockery; fair or sportsmanlike person (Informal); one known for the manner in which he follows rules and gets along with others (Informal). frolic, play; engage in sports; ridicule; trifle, joke, tease; show off, display ostentatiously. sport\sport\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. sported; p. pr. & vb. n. sporting.].
2. to play; to frolic; to wanton. [fish], sporting with quick glance, show to the sun their waved coats dropt with gold.
3. to practice the diversions of the field or the turf; to be given to betting, as upon races.
4. to trifle. "he sports with his own life.".
5. (bot. & zo?l.) to assume suddenly a new and different character from the rest of the plant or from the type of the species; -- said of a bud, shoot, plant, or animal. see:
sport, n., 6.
6. That which diverts, and makes mirth; pastime; amusement.
7. Mock; mockery; contemptuous mirth; derision.
8. That with which one plays, or which is driven about in play; a toy; a plaything; an object of mockery.
9. Play; idle jingle.
10. Diversion of the field, as fowling, hunting, fishing, racing, games, and the like, esp. when money is staked.
11. A plant or an animal, or part of a plant or animal, which has some peculiarity not usually seen in the species; an abnormal variety or growth.
12. See Sporting plant, under Sporting.
13. A sportsman; a gambler.
14. To play; to frolic; to wanton.
15. To practice the diversions of the field or the turf; to be given to betting, as upon races.
16. To trifle.
17. To assume suddenly a new and different character from the rest of the plant or from the type of the species; said of a bud, shoot, plant, or animal.
18. See Sport, n., 6.
19. To divert; to amuse; to make merry; used with the reciprocal pronoun.
20. To represent by any knd of play.
21. To exhibit, or bring out, in public; to use or wear; as, to sport a new equipage.
22. To give utterance to in a sportive manner; to throw out in an easy and copious manner; with off; as, to sport off epigrams. an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition the occupation of athletes who compete for pay temporary summer resident of inland Maine someone who engages in sports wear or display in an ostentatious or proud manner; "she was sporting a new hat".
23. 1. Sports are games such as football and basketball and other competitive leisure activities which need physical effort and skill. I'd say football is my favourite sport She excels at sport Billy turned on a radio to get the sports news.
24. approval If you say that someone is a sport or a good sport, you mean that they cope with a difficult situation or teasing in a cheerful way. He was accused of having no sense of humor, of not being a good sport.