/toor"neuh meuhnt, terr"-/ , n.
1. a trial of skill in some game, in which competitors play a series of contests: a chess tournament.
2. a meeting for contests in a variety of sports, as between teams of different nations.
3. Hist.
a. a contest or martial sport in which two opposing parties of mounted and armored combatants fought for a prize, with blunted weapons and in accordance with certain rules.
b. a meeting at an appointed time and place for the performance of knightly exercises and sports.
[ 1175-1225; ME tornement torneiement, equiv. to torne ( ier ) to TOURNEY + -ment -MENT ]