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

What if the man with perhaps the prettiest/deadliest jump shot in the history of basketball had come up during the three-point era?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 14, 2026

Illinois coach Brad Underwood’s ideal athlete is tall but agile, with a smooth dribble and a clean jump shot.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 28, 2026

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

He pivoted around and through a double team and faded away deep in the shot clock, ready to sink Memphis’ hopes with his signature jump shot.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 1, 2025

The ceiling in the gym was low, and you could tell which kid had learned to play basketball there by his flat jump shot.

From "Bad Boy" by Walter Dean Myers