Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Tournament \Tour"na*ment\, n. [OE. turnement, tornement, OF.
   torneiement, tornoiement, F. tournoiement a turning or
   wheeling round. See {Tourney}.]
   1. A mock fight, or warlike game, formerly in great favor, in
      which a number of combatants were engaged, as an
      exhibition of their address and bravery; hence,
      figuratively, a real battle. ``In battle and in
      tourneyment.'' --Chaucer.

            With cruel tournament the squadrons join. --Milton.

   Note: It different from the joust, which was a trial of skill
         between one man and another.

   2. Any contest of skill in which there are many contestents
      for championship; as, a chess tournament.

Source : WordNet®

tournament
     n 1: a sporting competition in which contestants play a series of
          games to decide the winner [syn: {tourney}]
     2: a series of jousts between knights contesting for a prize