fair play

noun

: equitable or impartial treatment : justice

Examples of fair play in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These rules in black and white are defined by the government to ensure order and fair play. Venkat Rao, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025 Rather than waving goodbye to all of their Premier League-ready talent to satisfy financial fair play rules and then replacing them with cheaper downgrades, there will be some goodbyes, but with significant upgrades instead. Beren Cross, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025 None of it fair play, all of it part of the game anyway. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 29 Apr. 2025 European football’s governing body does not allow for the sale of tangible assets to sister companies to count towards its financial fair play (FFP) calculations. Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fair play

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fair play was circa 1500

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fair play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fair%20play. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fair play

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!