commentary

Etymology

From Middle French commentaire, from Latin commentarius, commentarium (“notebook”), compare French commentaire. See comment.

Noun

commentary (countable and uncountable, plural commentaries)

1. A series of comments or annotations; especially, a book of explanations or expositions on the whole or a part of some other work.

   We listened to the football commentary while watching the match.

   • Henry Hallam

     This letter […] was published by him with a severe commentary.

2. (usually in the plural) A brief account of transactions or events written hastily, as if for a memorandum.

   Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War

3. An oral description of an event, especially broadcast by television or radio, as it occurs.