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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.

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