tipoff

[tip-awf, -of]

noun

Basketball.

1. a jump ball that begins each period.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tipoff¹

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

Example Sentences

You had to line up hours before tipoff to get into gyms.

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At her players’ request, Cori Close showed up inside Pauley Pavilion five hours before tipoff.

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Pregame shows on ABC will begin 30 minutes before tipoff. with postgame shows airing only after Saturday prime-time games.

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Howland likes to leave many hours before tipoff, arranging his schedule so that he can visit friends or fit in a doctor’s appointment.

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“We can play better, we got to play better,” Lue said before tipoff.

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