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Synonyms

ground ball

American  
[ground bawl] / ˈgraʊnd ˈbɔl /

noun

Baseball.
  1. a batted ball that rolls or bounces along the ground without having first risen in the air, as opposed to a fly ball.


Etymology

Origin of ground ball

First recorded in 1830–40, in cricket use; as an Americanism in 1855–60, in baseball use

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Toronto Blue Jays had the bases loaded with two out, and Kershaw came in to retire Nathan Lukes on a ground ball, in a dramatic eight-pitch at-bat.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2026

After the bunt, the Dodgers put Addison Barger on with a walk, setting up the double play, the Jays hit a ground ball, and well, you know the rest…Dodgers win.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 2, 2025

With runners on the corner and one out in the bottom of the 11th, he induced a routine ground ball to shortstop off the bat of Alejandro Kirk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 2, 2025

Rojas saved the day for a second time on a ground ball at second base, fielding it from a drawn-in position before firing for a force-out at home plate.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2025

He hit a hard ground ball on his first swing.

From "The Missing Mitt (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #2)" by Franklin W. Dixon