basketball

American  

[bas-kit-bawl, bah-skit-] / ˈbæs kɪtˌbɔl, ˈbɑ skɪt- /

noun

1. a game played by two teams of usually five players each on a rectangular court having a raised basket or goal at each end, points being scored by tossing the ball through the opponent's basket.

2. the round, inflated ball approximately 30 inches (76 centimeters) in circumference, used in this game.

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basketball British  

/ ˈbɑːskɪtˌbɔːl /

noun

1. a game played by two opposing teams of five men (or six women) each, usually on an indoor court. Points are scored by throwing the ball through an elevated horizontal metal hoop

2. the inflated ball used in this game

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Other Word Forms

• probasketball adjective

Etymology

Origin of basketball

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; basket + ball ¹

Example Sentences

Then the wave pool, the basketball pool, the kiddie pool and at least four trips to the bathroom.

From The Wall Street Journal

Maxwell played football as a freshman and then focused on basketball, but he is set to return to football as a senior.

From Los Angeles Times

The sun peeks through the morning marine layer as Soboroff stops at a plaque on the sole standing structure, a New Deal-era basketball gym.

From Los Angeles Times

A look at the top 25 high school boys’ basketball teams in the Southland this week.

From Los Angeles Times

Charter schools Birmingham, Palisades and Granada Hills have separated themselves in virtually all City Section sports including basketball.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ball