Yes, there are multiple sense of the word Sport, but none that include running and exclude billiards as you claim.
SPORT [noun] (
countable and uncountable,
plural sports)
- (countable) Any activity that uses physical exertion or skills competitively under a set of rules that is not based on aesthetics.
- Billiards and bowling are games of skill, so applicable
(countable) Something done for fun, regardless of its design or intended purpose.
Joe was banned from getting legal help. He seemed to view lawsuits as a sport.
(countable) A person who exhibits either good or bad sportsmanship.
Jen may have won, but she was sure a poor sport; she laughed at the loser.
The loser was a good sport, and congratulated Jen on her performance.
(countable) Somebody who behaves or reacts in an admirably good-natured manner, e.g. to being teased or to losing a game; a good sport.
You're such a sport! You never get upset when we tease you.
- (obsolete) That which diverts, and makes mirth; pastime; amusement. quotations
- (obsolete) Mockery, making fun; derision.
- (countable) A toy; a plaything; an object of mockery.
- (uncountable) Gaming for money as in racing, hunting, fishing.
- Billiards particular but also bowling may be bet on, so applicable
- (biology, botany, zoology, countable) A plant or an animal, or part of a plant or animal, which has some peculiarity not usually seen in the species; an abnormal variety or growth. The term encompasses both mutants and organisms with non-genetic developmental abnormalities such as birth defects.
- (slang, countable) A sportsman; a gambler.
- (slang, countable) One who consorts with disreputable people, including prostitutes.
(obsolete, uncountable) An amorous dalliance.
Charlie and Lisa enjoyed a bit of sport after their hike.
- (informal, usually singular) A friend or acquaintance (chiefly used when speaking to the friend in question)
- (obsolete) Play; idle jingle.
It's impressive that you've combed through so many definitions, but ultimately futile. I'm not rejecting any of those definitions. I'm only indulging the nuance in the description of Sports and creating divisions based on popular usage. However, since you do require an explicit reference which meets my description, I'll provide it for you:
(2) : a particular activity (such as an athletic game) so engaged in
1 : physical activity (as running or an athletic game) engaged in for pleasure or exercise
Now that we've established that I'm not making up definitions, let's delve further into your non-sequiturs:
Billiards and bowling are amusing, so applicable
Having played Billiards and bowled numerous times, I can attest to the notion that these games are fun and amusing. That however is not the source of my contention. To understand the distinction I'm drawing a bit better, let's first define "athlete":
Athlete:
a person who is proficient in sports and other forms of physical exercise.
a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina
a person trained or gifted in exercises or contests involving physical agility, stamina, or strength; a participant in a sport, exercise, or game requiring physical skill.
a person trained to compete in sports or exercises involving physical strength, speed, or endurance
I cite these definitions in order to demonstrate the term's association to sports. And you'll also notice in those definitions the equivalence drawn between sports and games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina.
If we accept games like Billiards, bowling, and the like into the vernacular of Sports, then there's nothing that discourages the label of a pool player as an "athlete" especially considering your broad application of the term Sports. Some Obese teenager sitting on a "gaming chair" for 16 hours a day would also be considered an athlete, and tacitly equated to athletes of sports like Basketball, Baseball, Football, Soccer, Tennis, etc.
Oromagi, you are aware of distinction I've made. (Hence, your stating that you empathized.) The issue was whether my description was "made up." I trust now that your concern has been addressed.