table tennis

American  

noun

1. a game resembling tennis, played on a table with small paddles and a hollow celluloid or plastic ball.

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table tennis British  

noun

1. a miniature form of tennis played on a table with small bats and a light hollow ball

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Etymology

Origin of table tennis

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

"The rugby gives you the most contact, the most adrenaline. Table tennis is great but there is no real adrenaline rush off it!"

From BBC • Oct. 10, 2025

JM: Table tennis has a pretty kitschy identity in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 2023

Table tennis was Chen’s salve after Sept. 11, 2001, when he loaded a wheelbarrow with water bottles for the firefighters at the fallen Twin Towers.

From New York Times • Apr. 6, 2022

The semis and finals start from 15:30. 9am - Table tennis.

From The Guardian • Aug. 24, 2021

You get what I’m saying: Table tennis is a lot of fun to play even if you’re not skilled at all.

From Slate • Aug. 4, 2021