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

Explanation

Basketball is a team sport in which players work together to bounce a ball down the length of a court and throw it through a hoop. Some college basketball games are hugely popular and very competitive. In basketball, two teams of five players collaborate to score points by successfully throwing the ball — also called a basketball — through the nets that hang from hoops at either end of the court. The game was invented in 1891, and the word basketball first appeared in print the next year, from basket and ball.

Example Sentences

You have playoff basketball and hockey, which are both great, especially this year.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

Women’s basketball is finally getting the queer rom-com it deserves.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

Jo says they were at a basketball game when three boys called over: "Yo, Jo and Kush, can you sign us?"

From BBC • May 20, 2026

The Beverly Hills mansion features a wide range of custom amenities, including an indoor sports complex, complete with basketball and pickleball courts, a fully equipped gym, a boxing ring, a sports lounge, and a bar.

From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026

Elijah tossed the basketball lightly in the air, caught it, then said, “Hey, nice Jordans!”

From "The First State of Being" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Related Words

• ball