paintball
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of paintball
Explanation
Paintball is a game in which players shoot harmless pellets full of colored dye at each other. Some people play paintball in teams, mimicking a military-style battle. During a paintball game, players use paintball markers, also known as paintball guns, to shoot capsules of paint at each other. Most people play for fun, although there are also official paintball leagues and teams, complete with organized tournaments. The US military has even used paintball as a way for soldiers to train for battle. The game of paintball was invented in 1981, and the first matches were played in New Hampshire.
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.
“The amount of women and men in their 50s and 60s that go nuts over paintball is unbelievable.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 10, 2025
As he ambled toward the woods, West yelled “Hey bear, get out of here bear, go!” and fired powder balls from a paintball gun at him.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 17, 2025
After firing the paintball gun, the suspect allegedly “threw a hand sign with his left hand while still holding the paintball gun in his right hand,” the affidavit says.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2025
Rangers reportedly found three slingshots, a paintball marker, paintballs and other evidence inside their vehicle.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 8, 2024
“Those are paintball pods! Trent and Grant play paintball with them all the time!”
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
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.
