ball game

American  

Or ballgame

noun

1. any game played with a ball, especially baseball or softball.

2. Informal. a situation and all its attendant circumstances.

   Having a new administration in power changes the entire ball game at city hall.

3. Archaeology. a ceremonial game of both ritual and sporting significance, played by teams on a ball court in Mesoamerican cultures from the Preclassic period to the Spanish conquest.

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ball game British  

noun

1. any game played with a ball

2. a game of baseball

3. informal a situation; state of affairs (esp in the phrase a whole new ball game )

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Etymology

Origin of ball game

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

Selling homes is a whole different ball game, and you have to bring something to the table.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

“Emotional. I’m spent emotionally. We got a ball game later tonight, which is crazy.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2025

Because I think if we fall short of that, that’s the end of the ball game.

From Slate • Oct. 15, 2025

That, to be blunt, is the whole ball game.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2025

They were, as Ralph thought of it, “going up,” every day, with just enough time to take in an occasional movie or ball game, and to be glad that Mona and Callie were happy.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen