paddleball

American  

[pad-l-bawl] / ˈpæd lˌbɔl /

noun

1. a game played on a handball court following the same basic rules as handball, but in which players use short-handled, perforated paddles to hit a ball resembling a tennis ball.

---

Etymology

Origin of paddleball

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35; paddle ¹ + ball ¹

Example Sentences

When the Padres are not playing, it’s a popular concert venue, as well as a public park with a playground, dog run and paddleball courts.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2025

On a muggy July day in 2018, Melinda Richards zipped around Pine Tree’s pools, paddleball courts and 150 trailer and cabin lots in drizzling rain.

From Washington Times • Mar. 1, 2020

They play at least three different versions of volleyball and dabble at soccer, surfing, boogie boarding, body surfing, skim- and paddle-boarding, and something called “fresco ball,” which is another paddleball variant.

From Washington Post • Aug. 17, 2016

Another group plays paddleball, heading for the courts past the parking lot and sweating for hours in the blazing sun, honing their skills for the club’s championships in August.

From New York Times • Jul. 3, 2016

He crossed his arms over a chest that could have doubled as a paddleball court.

From "Shelter (Book One): A Mickey Bolitar Novel" by Harlan Coben