basketball

American  

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

noun

basketballs plural

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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• probasketball
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• basketballs
  plural

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

“Since the 1980s, LT has narrated every chapter of Lakers basketball, connecting generations of fans, players, coaches and staff while becoming a trusted and unforgettable part of the Lakers’ experience.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2026

The NBA’s very best teams tend to be led by generational superstars who have been anointed as basketball demigods since they first laced up their sneakers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026

Longtime Knicks superfans Spike Lee and Timothée Chalamet as well numerous other athletes and celebrities include long-time basketball fan President Barack Obama also celebrated the win in person and online.

From Salon • Jun. 14, 2026

That, along with the Knicks players' return from San Antonio, will preoccupy this city with basketball for a few more days.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026

“Can’t we go back to, ‘Hey, Jonah, you gonna try out for the basketball team?’”

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• ball