# tiebreaker

/tˈaɪbɹeɪkɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tiebreaker
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

a final test or event used to decide a winner when two people or teams have the same score. It helps break a tie so there is only one champion.

For teachers: a final contest or decision-making process used to resolve a deadlock or tie in a competition. Often involves a specific rule or additional round of play.

## Examples

- The two teams played an extra minute to find a tiebreaker.
- After both finalists scored the same number of points, the judges used a technical tiebreaker to decide the winner.
- The tournament rules specify that if the score remains level after the standard duration, a sudden-death tiebreaker will be implemented to determine the ultimate victor.

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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.