basketball

[bas-kit-bawl, bah-skit-]

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.

basketball

/ 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

• probasketball adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of basketball¹

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

Example Sentences

An overlap on the right allowed New Zealand to work the ball through the hands and Sorensen-McGee's basketball pass found Waaka, who was able to cross unchallenged.

From BBC

“For them, whether it was tennis, swimming, basketball or volleyball, it didn’t really matter to us. It was whatever they became connected with. They both had journeys.”

From Los Angeles Times

Away from fashion, he was a keen sports fan and supported Serie A football team Inter Milan and owned the Olimpia Milano basketball team.

From BBC

It’s where kids learn how to swim and all ages play soccer, baseball and basketball.

From Los Angeles Times

Stremberg was on the basketball team in Crescent City at the time.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ball