| Word |
Example sentence |
Meaning |
| arena |
The arena was full of excited spectators cheering on their team. |
a level area for holding sports events, surrounded by seats for spectators |
| amateur |
The Olympic Games were originally for amateur athletes only. |
engaged in something, like playing sports, without payment; non-professional |
| athlete |
Most professional athletes spend hours every day in training. |
a person who trains for and competes in a sport |
| athletics |
There are some very good runners on our athletics team. |
'track and field' events of running, jumping, throwing, etc. |
| award |
All the members of the winning team were awarded a gold medal. |
to give someone something as a reward for high achievement |
| beat |
Italy beat France to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup. |
to defeat someone in a game or a competition |
| captain |
The captain usually leads his or her team onto the field. |
the leader of a team |
| catch |
A wicketkeeper in cricket must be very good at catching the ball. |
to grab and hold something that has been thrown |
| champion |
The boxer Muhammad Ali was World Heavyweight Champion three times. |
a top-rated, highly successful player |
| cheer on |
The fans made a lot of noise cheering on their team. |
to shout encouragement to a team or a player |
| coach |
Players should carry out their coach's instructions during a game. |
a person who trains and directs an athlete or a sports team |
| compete |
Over 10,000 athletes will compete in the Olympic Games. |
to take part in a contest or a competition |
| competition |
The English Premiership League is one of the world's top football competitions. |
an organized event in which people compete to win |
| competitor |
Each competitor in a golf tournament must record his or her own score. |
a person who takes part in a competition or a sporting contest |
| contest |
Do you know who won this year's figure skating contest? |
a game or event in which people compete to win |
| court |
The tennis courts at Wimbledon in London have a grass surface. |
a quadrangular area on which ball games are played, such as tennis or basketball |
| course |
A golf course usually has eighteen holes. |
an area of land prepared for racing, golf, or other sports |
| cup |
After they won the final game, the winners were awarded the Championship Cup. |
a cup-shaped trophy, awarded as a prize in a contest |
| defeat |
Our players were very happy after they defeated their opponents in the final game. |
to win a victory over opponents in a game or contest; to beat |
| defend |
The team attacked and scored two goals, then spent the rest of the game defending the lead. |
to protect one's goal rather than attempt to score against one's opponents |
| draw |
The score was 1-0, but the losing team got a late goal and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. |
to finish a contest or game with an even score; tie |
| event |
The 100 metres run is one of the most exciting events in athletics. |
a particular contest in a sporting programme |
| fan |
Sometimes the umpire of a tennis match has to tell noisy fans to be quiet. |
a person who supports a particular sport, team or player |
| field |
How many players are allowed on the field during a baseball game? |
a piece of land marked out for a sports contest e.g. hockey field |
| final score |
Today's basketball game was very close. The final score was 84 to 82. |
the score at the end of a game |
| fitness |
I exercise at the gym every day for fitness and good health. |
the condition of being physically fit and healthy |
| goal |
Jimmy got the ball, ran down the pitch, and then scored the best goal of the game. |
an instance of scoring in a ball game by getting the ball into a target such as between goal-posts, through a hoop, or into a net. |
| gym / gymnasium |
Our gym has a lot of new exercise equipment, including running machines and cycling machines. |
a room or building equipped for physical exercise |
| half-time |
The players went into the rooms at half-time and listened to their coach. |
the interval between the first and second halves of a game |
| judge |
In sports like diving and gymnastics, judges score each performance in a contest. |
a person who rates the quality of a sporting performance, usually by awarding points |
| league |
Nearly every town in the U.S. has teams in a local baseball league. |
a group of sports clubs that play each other over a period for a championship |
| leisure |
It's good for kids to spend some of their leisure time playing sports. |
free time, or the use of free time for enjoyment |
| lob |
Her lob flew high into the air and dropped into the back of the court, just inside the baseline. |
a shot that is hit in a high arc, usually over the opponent's head |
| manager |
Liverpool sacked their manager after they lost eight of their previous ten games. |
the person in charge of a sports team |
| medal |
Every athlete's dream is to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games. |
a piece of engraved metal given to signify an achievement or an honor |
| object |
The object of the game of football is to score more goals than the opponents. |
the thing you want to get or achieve; what you aim to do |
| offside |
Forwards have to learn how to avoid being caught in an offside position. |
In an illegal position ahead of the ball (in football, rugby, hockey, etc.) |
| opponent |
Roger Federer's opponent in the Wimbledon final was Rafael Nadal. |
the person one competes against in a contest or a game; rival |
| pass |
A defender tries to pass the ball to a forward in a good position to score. |
to throw or kick the ball to another player on one's own team |
| penalty |
The penalty for abusing a referee is usually a one-match suspension. |
a punishment imposed on a player or team for breaking the rules of a sport |
| perform |
All the athletes will do their best to perform well in the Olympic Games. |
to carry out a practised activity, such a play a sport |
| performance |
Venus Williams put in one the best performances of her life to win the tournament. |
an instance of competing in a sports event in public |
| physique |
Rugby players work hard in the gym to build up their physiques. |
the form or shape of a person's body |
| pitch (1) |
The fans cheered as the players ran onto the pitch. |
a playing field (British) |
| pitch (2) |
Our pitcher threw one of the best pitches of his life to win the game. |
a throw of the ball, esp. in baseball and softball |
| player |
How many players are on the court during a doubles match in tennis? |
a person who plays a sport |
practise
(U.S. spelling; practice) |
Professional golfers spend hours every day practising their shots. |
to repeatedly do something in order to develop one's skill |
| professional |
Tiger Woods has been a professional golfer since he was 20 years old. |
a person whose paid occupation is playing a sport |
| record |
Do you know who holds the world record for the men's 100 metres? |
the best performance that has been officially measured and noted |
| referee |
The referee saw a foul, blew his whistle and awarded a free kick. |
a sports official with authority to make rulings during a contest |
| rules |
In several sports there is an offside rule, and it's often difficult to explain. |
the laws or regulations that govern how a game or sport is played |
| score |
Do you know how to keep score in badminton? |
the number of points a competitor or team earns during a game |
| serve |
Serving the ball is one of the most important skills in sports like tennis. |
to hit the ball to begin play (in tennis, table tennis, squash, volleyball, etc.) |
| shoot |
In basketball, players try shoot from outside the 3-point line to score the extra points. |
to kick, hit, or throw the ball in an attempt to score a goal (in soccer, hockey, basketball, etc.) |
| skill |
Ken has gone to a boxing camp to improve his boxing skills. |
the ability to do something well |
| spectator |
Spectators can add a lot to sporting events by creating an exciting atmosphere. |
a person who watches an event |
| sportsmanship |
Good managers know how to teach their players sportsmanship. |
an attitude of fairness, respect for opponents, and graciousness in winning or losing |
| stadium |
The stadium was built for sports, but it's sometimes used for concerts as well. |
a sports arena with tiered seating for spectators |
| strategy |
One of the jobs of the manager or coach is to develop a strategy for winning each game. |
a plan to achieve an objective |
| tackle |
Rugby players have to learn how to tackle an opponent strongly but fairly. |
to challenge an opponent who has the ball |
| tactics |
Players use tactics such as attacking their opponent's weaknesses in order to win. |
an action or strategy planned to achieve an objective |
| talent |
Our daughter's basketball coach says she has a lot of natural talent for the game. |
a natural aptitude or skill |
| teammate |
The team wins because the players are always looking for their teammates. |
a fellow member of a sports team |
| teamwork |
The best teams spend a lot of time on the training ground working on teamwork. |
the combined action of a group of people |
| tie |
The score was very close throughout the game, and it ended in a tie with 89 points each. |
a result in a game in which teams have the same final score; a draw |
| tournament |
The four major tennis tournaments form what is known as the 'Grand Slam'. |
a series of contests between a number of competitors, who compete for an overall prize |
| trainer |
Some players are a bit lazy and need a strict trainer to make them work hard. |
a person who helps athletes develop their skills and fitness |
| train |
The hockey team trains every Tuesday and Thursday after school. |
to teach a skill over time through instruction; to practise a skill |
| trophy |
The players carried the trophy over their heads as they ran around the stadium. |
a decorative object awarded as a prize in a contest or a tournament |
| umpire |
In a game of cricket, there are two umpires on the field during play. |
a sports official with authority to make rulings during a contest |
| victory |
The players had worked very hard, and they deserved their victory. |
the act of winning a game or contest |
| whistle |
The referee blew his whistle twice to signal the end of the match. |
a small instrument that makes a high-pitched noise when blown |
