jump shot

American  

noun

Basketball.

1. a shot with one or both hands in which a player leaps into the air and shoots the ball at the basket at the moment of reaching the highest point of the leap.

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jump shot British  

noun

1. basketball a shot at the basket made by a player releasing the ball at the highest point of a leap

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Etymology

Origin of jump shot

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

jump shot

Smith notices a difference too: “I’ve seen improvement in Tati’s jump shot and I’m very proud of her.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 18, 2026

He honed a pinpoint midrange jump shot and studied opposing offenses to know exactly where to grab steals.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 23, 2025

As a kid, he had a pretty good jump shot, and by 2017 was playing as a guard for Macalester College’s Division III basketball team in St. Paul.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 22, 2025

The Spurs inched back in front on a trey from Devin Vassell, but Curry answered with a jump shot that put them back in front 81-80 and they never trailed again.

From Barron's ● Nov. 13, 2025

Will was a post-grad senior and a strong defender, but he relied too much on his jump shot, which most of the time clanked off the rim.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan