badminton

American  

[bad-min-tn] / ˈbæd mɪn tn /

noun

1. a game played on a rectangular court by two players or two pairs of players equipped with light rackets used to volley a shuttlecock over a high net that divides the court in half.

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badminton ¹ British  

/ ˈbædmɪntən /

noun

1. a game played with rackets and a shuttlecock, which is hit back and forth across a high net

2. Also called: badminton cup.  a long refreshing drink of claret with soda water and sugar

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Badminton ² British  

/ ˈbædmɪntən /

noun

1. a village in SW England, in South Gloucestershire unitary authority, Gloucestershire: site of Badminton House, seat of the Duke of Beaufort; annual horse trials

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Usage

What is badminton? Badminton is a sport in which light rackets are used to volley an object—called a shuttlecock, shuttle, birdie, or bird—back and forth over a high net.Unlike other similar sports, such as tennis, badminton is not played with a ball—the shuttlecock is a kind of feathered cone with a cork head. (A shuttlecock is also used in the related sport of battledore).Competitive badminton, which is featured as an event in the Olympic Games, is played on an indoor court and can consist of one-on-one play or doubles. The rules of badminton are similar to those of other sports that use nets, like tennis and volleyball: if a player hits the shuttlecock out of bounds or lets it touch the ground on their side of the court, their opponent(s) get a point.Badminton is also played recreationally, often as a casual yard game with multiplayer teams (less casual if Uncle Tahir is on your team).Example: You’ll see some lightning-quick reflexes in Olympic-level badminton. 

Etymology

Origin of badminton

First recorded in 1835–45; named after Badminton, the country seat of the duke of Beaufort in Gloucestershire, England

Example Sentences

Currently sheltered in a rundown badminton court in Vaphai village, the group's few belongings they were able to carry are packed in plastic sacks.

From BBC

"We'd have an exercise session in the morning, then there were badminton courts netted off for us. We'd shove weights about, and jump up and down and things like that," says Larter.

From BBC

Taiwan's badminton star and Olympic silver medallist Tai Tzu-ying has announced her retirement, saying her era "has come to an end" but that she hopes her spirit stays with fans.

From Barron's

Outside politics, Connolly is a passionate Irish speaker and a keen sportswoman who ran marathons and played badminton competitively in her younger years.

From BBC

The luxurious stone villa had balconies overlooking the sea, a badminton court, and a swimming pool with a retractable glass roof.

From Literature