Sport is a physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively. It is any activity or experience that gives enjoyment or recreation and is considered a pastime or diversion. However, it is argued that an exact definition of sport is elusive.

For example, the famous philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein argues that sports are defined, not by a set of common characteristics, but by new activities sharing some common aspects with existing sports, but not necessarily sharing any common characteristics with all. This may be supported by the increasingly diverse set of activities that are at least claimed by some as sports including paintball and fishing. Many of these would not be recognised as sports by fans of more traditionally recognised sports such as golf, soccer or football.

Sport seems to involve basic human skills being developed and exercised for their own sake, as well as for their usefulness. This suggests that sport is probably as old as human existence.

In British English, sporting activities are commonly denoted by the collective noun 'sport'. In American English, 'sports' is used more often. In all English dialects, 'sports' is the term used for more than one specific sport.

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