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

He’s one of the best tennis players in the Southland, but few knew he played basketball as a freshman.

From Los Angeles Times

“We’ve also got lots of leadership on this team and when you combine that with the talent we have you can play really fun basketball.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I started playing basketball when I was 4 years old,” Griffin said.

From Los Angeles Times

There are high school basketball players, and even parents, who cringe when a coach says, “You’re playing with the junior varsity.”

From Los Angeles Times

The USC men’s basketball team had its opponent on the ropes midway through the first half, but was unable to deliver the knockout blow Saturday afternoon at Galen Center.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ball