jump shot

American  

noun

Basketball.

1. a shot with one or both hands in which a player leaps into the air and shoots the ball at the basket at the moment of reaching the highest point of the leap.

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jump shot British  

noun

1. basketball a shot at the basket made by a player releasing the ball at the highest point of a leap

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Etymology

Origin of jump shot

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

jump shot

Only a few years ago, he was a mystery, this international big man from Paris with an ectomorphic frame, graceful moves and a gentle, looping teardrop of a jump shot.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 1, 2026

James scored on a jump shot just seconds into the third quarter and the route continued.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 2, 2026

As a kid, he had a pretty good jump shot, and by 2017 was playing as a guard for Macalester College’s Division III basketball team in St. Paul.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 22, 2025

The Spurs inched back in front on a trey from Devin Vassell, but Curry answered with a jump shot that put them back in front 81-80 and they never trailed again.

From Barron's ● Nov. 13, 2025

“Majidi runs back to stay with him. Young stops at the top of the key. He buries a jump shot right in front of Majidi’s face.”

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan