desempate

tiebreaker

noun dehs-em-PAH-teh Rare

Usage Note

Desempate is formed with the prefix des- (undoing) + empate (tie/draw), so literally 'un-tying'. It is the standard term in sport for any mechanism that resolves a draw — a penalty shootout, a deciding game, or a tiebreak set. The related verb is desempatar. In non-sporting contexts it can refer to any deciding vote or mechanism for breaking a deadlock (voto de desempate).

Examples

"El partido se decidió en el desempate por penaltis."

Natural Translation

The match was decided in the penalty tiebreaker.

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