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netball

American  
[net-bawl] / ˈnɛtˌbɔl /

noun

  1. Tennis. a ball, on a return shot, that hits the top of the net and drops on the other side of the court, thus remaining in play.

  2. British. a game similar to basketball, played with a soccer ball, usually outdoors.

netball British  
/ ˈnɛtˌbɔːl /

noun

  1. a team game similar to basketball, played mainly by women

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • netballer noun

Etymology

Origin of netball

First recorded in 1895–1900; net 1 + ball 1

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.

In particular, the netball club and dance company sticks in my mind.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

In August 2024, she retired from netball after Cardiff Dragons did not offer her a contract for the 2024–25 season.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Jones, from Wrexham, represented Wales internationally in both football and netball, earning 30 caps in football and 70 in netball.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

But Ssentamu loves the way it combines elements of netball, football, volleyball, and rugby -- and also the equality between men and women, which is an official requirement for every team.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

“And captain of my netball team. And I could arm wrestle kids older than me and beat them.”

From "Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun" by Hena Khan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.