lacrosse

American  

[luh-kraws, -kros] / ləˈkrɔs, -ˈkrɒs /

noun

1. a game, originated by Indians of North America, in which two 10-member teams attempt to send a small ball into each other's netted goal, each player being equipped with a crosse or stick at the end of which is a netted pocket for catching, carrying, or throwing the ball.

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lacrosse British  

/ ləˈkrɒs /

noun

1. a ball game invented by Native Americans, now played by two teams who try to propel a ball into each other's goal by means of long-handled hooked sticks that are loosely strung with a kind of netted pouch

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Etymology

Origin of lacrosse

1710–20, < Canadian French: literally, the crook (stick used in the game). See crosse

Explanation

Lacrosse is a team sport in which players carry a ball in the net of a long-handled racket, throw it to each other, and try to score points by getting the ball into a goal. Both men and women play lacrosse, mostly on high school and college teams. Lacrosse players carry a long stick with a netted head for cradling the small rubber ball. In women's lacrosse, the stick must be moving back and forth to keep the ball from falling out. The game now known as lacrosse was invented by indigenous people of North America as early as AD 1100. Lacrosse comes from the French Canadian jeu de la crosse, "game of the hooked sticks."

Example Sentences

He started lacrosse in kindergarten, showing up to participate in South Bay Lacrosse Club.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026

Lacrosse, on the 1908 London Olympic calendar and later a demonstration sport, will return with the men's and women's finals on July 29.

From Barron's • Nov. 12, 2025

Lacrosse was used to help tribes get ready for wars; it was focal point of social gatherings, a religious experience and also sometimes a diplomatic tool used to settle disputes.

From Washington Times • Oct. 19, 2023

Lacrosse was hailed as the first game played on the American continent by its native people.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 16, 2023

Calvin says, “Yeah. Lacrosse is probably his favorite thing about Matt and Lance. Corey is in it for the game.”

From "The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle" by Leslie Connor