world cup

plural world cups

1. Alternative letter-case form of World Cup, an international tournament establishing a world champion; the trophy awarded to the winner.

   The Golden Bear ruggers, co-holders of the world cup following their invasion of Canada during the holidays with a combined California-Stanford team, will present seven of the ten players who made the northern trip.

   1934 January 19, San Mateo Times, p. 10, col. 5

plural World Cups

1. ball gamesThe FIFA World Cup, a quadrennial international competition of national teams in men's association football and the trophy awarded to the winning team.First known use 1934

   Newark: LNER temporarily changed the name of Northgate station to Newark Southgate, to honour England's World Cup manager Gareth Southgate.

   2022 December 14, Howard Johnston, “Regional News: Eastern”, in RAIL, number 972, page 24

2. usually qualifiedhobbiesVarious similar competitions and trophies in other sports.First known use 1934

   Women's World Cup; Rugby World Cup; Baseball World Cup

   1 more example

   Yes, we lifted the World Cup in 2003 (I can still effortlessly visualise Jonny's drop kick), but the Boks have won four, the Kiwis three and the Aussies two. Our women, thank God, are so much better.

   2026 March 14, Robert Taylor, “It's Finally Time to Admit that the English Are Rubbish at Sport”, in The Telegraph

3. hobbiesThe trophy awarded to the winner of such an event.