playoff

3 definitions • 5 examples

an extra game or period of play in a competition played between teams or competitors who both have the same number of points, in order to decide who wins the competition:

Two players are tied for first place, so they will have a one-game playoff to determine the winner.

a game or series of games that are played after a regular season of games (= a list of games planned ahead of time) to decide a winner :

the playoffs The team with the best record in each division will qualify for a spot in the playoffs.

The football team qualified for its first playoff game in four years.

one of a series of games played after the regular season to decide which teams will advance to play for the championship (= compete to be recognized as the best team):

the basketball playoffs

a playoff game