table tennis

American  

noun

1. a game resembling tennis, played on a table with small paddles and a hollow celluloid or plastic ball.

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table tennis British  

noun

1. a miniature form of tennis played on a table with small bats and a light hollow ball

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Etymology

Origin of table tennis

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

He said the atmospheric conditions had led to "sizeable hail, akin in places to the size of table tennis balls."

From BBC • May 29, 2026

Sabbir reads manuals on the theory of navigation, and Islamic texts—or plays table tennis with his crew.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026

At the same time, Anta was slowly getting its name out domestically, opening new shops and partnering with major sporting events, including national basketball and table tennis competitions.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026

"I'd love to play table tennis as a living."

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Afterward, we would have lunch, then busy ourselves playing table tennis or soccer.

From "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah