bank shot

American  

noun

1. Basketball. a shot into the basket, made by rebounding the ball off the backboard.

2. Billiards, Pool. a shot in which the cue ball or object ball is banked.

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Etymology

Origin of bank shot

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Now rates are coming down, and Caterpillar has even turned into something of an AI bank shot.

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

Manchester toddler Jude Owens successfully executed a pool bank shot at two years and 302 days old on 12 October 2025.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

Doncic hit a bank shot, Dorian Finney-Smith hit a three-pointer, James banked in a follow shot and Doncic hit two three throws to quickly push the lead back to 20.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2025

Henderson’s bank shot gave the Blazers a 16-9 lead in the first quarter but the Rockets closed the gap to 24-23 to start the second.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 12, 2024

Suddenly the heavy car, chains and all, bounded up a two-foot bank, shot over the sod a dozen yards before the brake caught it, then swung a half-circle and stood still.

From One of Ours by Cather, Willa Sibert