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speedball

American  
[speed-bawl] / ˈspidˌbɔl /

noun

  1. a game similar to soccer with the chief difference that a player catching the ball on the fly can pass it with the hands.

  2. Slang. any combination of a stimulant and a depressant taken together, especially a mixture of heroin and cocaine or heroin and methamphetamine injected into the bloodstream.


verb (used without object)

  1. Slang. to take a speedball, especially by injection.

speedball British  
/ ˈspiːdˌbɔːl /

noun

  1. slang a mixture of heroin with amphetamine or cocaine

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of speedball

First recorded in 1940–45; speed + ball 1

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.

See Examples For:

I was 10 when I first heard “Glory Days,” and even then I knew that no one who plays baseball or watches baseball calls any pitch a speedball.

From Slate May 31, 2020

“It’s going to be one of those fast-paced, speedball games where they’re going to probably go as fast as they can,” Saban said.

From Washington Times Sep. 7, 2018

Nevertheless, they all see theirs as the tremendous machine that can carry its speedball energy over a full mile and a half.

From Washington Post Jun. 5, 2015

Richard and Nolan Ryan, among many others, all gained renown for throwing their speedball by hitters and making them look like fools.

From Seattle Times Sep. 5, 2010

Beginner's text book of speedball pen lettering. 2d ed. © on new matter; 15Apr23, AA34260.

From U.S. Copyright Renewals, 1951 January - June by Library of Congress. Copyright Office

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