no ball
noun
an unfairly bowled ball.
no ball
Americannoun
Cricket.
no-ball
British
noun
-
cricket an illegal ball, as for overstepping the crease, throwing, etc, for which the batting side scores a run, and from which the batsman can be out only by being run out
-
rounders an illegal ball, esp one bowled too high or too low
verb
Etymology
Origin of no ball
First recorded in 1740–50
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.
See Examples For:
Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy took a wicket each in the first two overs before Zak Foulkes conceded 24 runs off the third over, which started with a no ball for four and three wides.
From Barron's ● Jan. 23, 2026
Play experts want to ban "no ball games" signs and protect playtime during school breaks, to reduce the time children spend on screens.
From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2025
“Just tired of watching turnovers and no ball movement, no player movement,” USC coach Andy Enfield said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 4, 2024
He hit five sixes and a four in Harshal Patel’s 20th over — with one of the sixes coming off a no ball — for his 28-ball 62.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 25, 2021
He couldn’t play no ball but there was something in the way he moved, something in the way he walked, that was me.
From "Slam!" by Walter Dean Myers
He was caught off a Cameron Green no-ball on 22, then edged and miscued the same bowler.
From BBC ● Jan. 5, 2026
On the opening day, he was bowled on 247 by Zimbabwe's Tanaka Chivanga, only for replays to show Chivanga had over-stepped for a no-ball.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2025
India paid the price for dropped catches, a crucial Harry Brook wicket off a no-ball and a tail that refused to wag.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2025
He was saved by umpire Chris Gaffaney raising his arm to signal the third no-ball of the over.
From BBC ● Jun. 21, 2025
A no-ball in the same over sent up the first ten.
From Mike by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse
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.
