softball

American  

[sawft-bawl, soft-] / ˈsɔftˌbɔl, ˈsɒft- /

noun

1. a form of baseball played on a smaller diamond with a ball that is larger and softer than a baseball.

2. the ball itself.

3. something that can be easily dealt with.

   The confirmation committee threw her a softball on that question.

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softball British  

/ ˈsɒftˌbɔːl /

noun

1. a variation of baseball using a larger softer ball, pitched underhand

2. the ball used

3. cookery the stage in the boiling of a sugar syrup at which it may be rubbed into balls after dipping in cold water

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Etymology

Origin of softball

First recorded in 1925–30; soft + ball ¹

Example Sentences

A look at the top 20 high school softball teams in the Southland; as ranked by CalHiSports.com for The Times.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

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 • Mar. 23, 2026

A look at the top 20 high school softball teams in the Southland, as ranked by CalHiSports for The Times.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

She had dreamed of representing the U.S. in softball, which she played on a scholarship at George Washington.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

“The captain of my fast-pitch softball team did not just imply that our first section tournament game is something she put on the back burner of her brain. She didn’t. I know she didn’t....”

From "Fast Pitch" by Nic Stone