noun

1. in the Middle Ages,
   1. a contest or exercise in which two parties of mounted knights in the field together tried to unseat each other as with blunted lances
   2. a series of such tournaments, jousts, etc. presented as an entertainment
2. a series of contests in some sport or game, as basketball or chess, in which a number of people or teams take part, trying to win the championship

Etymology: ME tournement < OFr torneiement < torneier: see tourney