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tipoff

American  
[tip-awf, -of] / ˈtɪpˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

Basketball.
  1. a jump ball that begins each period.


Etymology

Origin of tipoff

First recorded in 1910–15; tip 4 + (kick)off

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:

After a tipoff, intelligence services and police found two handguns and ammunition stashed in a hideout in the forest, Dobrindt said.

From Barron's Aug. 21, 2026

The commissioner acknowledged the “inconvenience” of the added security for the fans but noted that the stadium was packed well before tipoff.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 9, 2026

But Auriemma suggested that he’d been stewing since before the opening tipoff.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 4, 2026

It didn’t help that the Bruins were shorthanded from tipoff.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 6, 2026

This is my first tipoff to something I will see evidenced again and again throughout the day: Vanessa Martinez is not a kind person.

From "Every Day" by David Levithan

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