spectate

verb

spec·tate ˈspek-ˌtāt

spectated; spectating

: to be present as a spectator (as at a sports event)

Examples of spectate 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 iconic races are easy to spectate, with grandstands lining the course and a camera or two at every turn. — Emme Hall, ArsTechnica, 12 Mar. 2026 Clark and Daly met outside Joe’s Pizza, both unable to spectate from the sidelines, and ended up sticking together the rest of the day. — Amina Kilpatrick, NBC news, 19 June 2026 Perhaps this is Burn preparing to watch his team-mates from the comfort of the bench, letting his mind wander, or spectating in awe as England dominate the group on their way through to the knockouts. — Elias Burke, New York Times, 21 June 2026 Rear Window then feeds on our complex fascination with the human instinct to spectate, and neither Jeff nor the audience comes away completely innocent. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spectate

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from spectator

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of spectate was in 1858

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

spectacularly

spectate

spectator

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Spectate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spectate. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

spectate

verb

Examples of spectate in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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