basketball

American  

[bas-kit-bawl, bah-skit-] / ˈbæs kɪtˌbɔl, ˈbɑ skɪt- /

noun

1. a game played by two teams of usually five players each on a rectangular court having a raised basket or goal at each end, points being scored by tossing the ball through the opponent's basket.

2. the round, inflated ball approximately 30 inches (76 centimeters) in circumference, used in this game.

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basketball British  

/ ˈbɑːskɪtˌbɔːl /

noun

1. a game played by two opposing teams of five men (or six women) each, usually on an indoor court. Points are scored by throwing the ball through an elevated horizontal metal hoop

2. the inflated ball used in this game

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Other Word Forms

• probasketball adjective

Etymology

Origin of basketball

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; basket + ball ¹

Example Sentences

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley noted to reporters last week that it’s one of the first times many women’s basketball players will be able to accumulate generational wealth.

From Los Angeles Times

Twenty years from now Americans will be entertaining themselves with shared virtual-reality experiences, such as virtual travel experiences, golfing, skiing, tennis, basketball, softball, flower arranging, painting, learning experiences or visiting loved ones.

From The Wall Street Journal

As the clock ticked down Sunday night, Iowa’s men’s basketball team faced a seemingly impossible task.

From The Wall Street Journal

Simon majored in accounting at Indiana University, where he spent his spare time reading, attending Hoosiers basketball games and pursuing fellow student Jacqueline Freed.

From The Wall Street Journal

The peripatetic, polarizing basketball coach steers St. John’s to its first Sweet 16 in 27 seasons.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ball