# seeding

/ˈsidɪŋ/ (US) · /sˈiːdɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/seeding
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

the way teams or players are ranked in a competition. It helps decide who plays against whom so that the best players do not meet too early.

For teachers: the process of ranking competitors in a tournament to ensure that top-ranked participants do not face each other in the initial rounds. Often used in the context of bracket-style eliminations.

## Examples

- The tournament seeding puts the top two players in different groups.
- After a strong regular season, the team secured the top seeding for the regional playoffs.
- The committee revised the seeding criteria to account for recent injuries, ensuring that the bracket remained balanced and competitive throughout the opening weekend.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.