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

They are a college basketball program that once lost a game by 141 points, but this isn’t a column about losing a basketball game by 141 points.

From The Wall Street Journal

Last summer, the best point guard in college basketball faced a career-defining choice.

From The Wall Street Journal

Windows high in the walls were covered with wire mesh; rings and basketball hoops were roped to the ceiling.

From Literature

The provenance of the puck is similar to that of a basketball or football used in a notable moment.

From Los Angeles Times

They take care of the basketball and make 39% of their threes, led by former Duke recruit TJ Power, who notched 44 points against Yale in the Ivy championship.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ball