baseball

American  

[beys-bawl] / ˈbeɪsˌbɔl /

noun

baseballs plural

1. a game of ball between two nine-player teams played usually for nine innings on a field that has as a focal point a diamond-shaped infield with a home plate and three other bases, 90 feet (27 meters) apart, forming a circuit that must be completed by a base runner in order to score, the central offensive action entailing hitting of a pitched ball with a wooden or metal bat and running of the bases, the winner being the team scoring the most runs.

2. the ball used in this game, being a sphere approximately 3 inches (7 centimeters) in diameter with a twine-covered center of cork covered by stitched horsehide.

3. Cards. a variety of five-card or seven-card stud poker in which nines and threes are wild and in which threes and fours dealt face up gain the player either penalties or privileges.

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baseball British  

/ ˈbeɪsˌbɔːl /

noun

1. a team game with nine players on each side, played on a field with four bases connected to form a diamond. The object is to score runs by batting the ball and running round the bases

2. the hard rawhide-covered ball used in this game

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• probaseball
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• baseballs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of baseball

First recorded in 1795–1805; base ¹ + ball ¹

Explanation

Baseball is a game in which a player hits a ball with a bat and runs around the field, stepping on three bases before returning to where he started. Most baseball games last seven innings. During a typical baseball game, two teams of nine players each take turns being at bat while the other team stands in the field attempting to catch any balls that are hit and tag running players out before they are safe on a base. Though baseball was first played in 19th century England in the form of "rounders," it's been considered the US national sport since the early 20th century.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

baseball baseballs

“There are really not as many dominant ‘closer closers’ around anymore,” Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

“Not having an acute need at this time of year is very helpful,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

Bush, who is on bail, arrived at court with his face covered with a baseball cap and scarf.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

The suspect is described as a white male, 6ft tall, wearing dark shorts, a grey jumper and a beige baseball cap.

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026

When they made it back to the baseball diamond, the Jupiters were leaving the field.

From "The Missing Mitt (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #2)" by Franklin W. Dixon

The collection also will include baseballs, bats and a limited run of Topps trading cards that promise to feature KAWS’ interpretation of Dodgers and Yankees iconography.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

Babe Ruth once visited the Toledo Blade headquarters, tossing signed baseballs from a balcony to adoring crowds below.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 5, 2026

“As a kid, I was just throwing things — baseballs, rocks, tennis balls, footballs,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 7, 2025

Television cameras caught Kershaw laughing as his kids ran the bases, tried to throw baseballs at a hovering drone and enjoyed a diamond that had become their own personal childhood playground over the years.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2025

And after every one, whistles and shouts and even clapping for baseballs as foul as baseballs could ever be.

From "Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy" by Gary D. Schmidt