object ball

American  

noun

Billiards, Pool.

1. the first ball struck by the cue ball in making a carom.

2. a ball to be struck by the cue ball; any ball except the cue ball.

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object ball British  

noun

1. billiards snooker any ball except the cue ball, esp one which the striker aims to hit with the cue ball

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Etymology

Origin of object ball

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

The spectacular three-cushion game is the toughest: the cue ball, to score a point, must touch the cushions at least three times before hitting the second object ball.

From Time Magazine Archive

It upset Lauri's concentration so much that he committed an inexcusable scratch�missing the object ball entirely.

From Time Magazine Archive

De Oro made a run of four that included a billiard in which his cue ball touched not the minimum of three cushions before striking the object ball, but five.

From Time Magazine Archive

The various strokes are as under: 1.—A winning hazard is made by the player causing his own ball to hit an object ball and forcing the latter into a pocket.

From Hoyle's Games Modernized by Hoffmann, Louis

In other words, the striker, although he hits the object ball a half-ball stroke, screws into the middle pocket.

From Hoyle's Games Modernized by Hoffmann, Louis