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ballplayer

American  
[bawl-pley-er] / ˈbɔlˌpleɪ ər /

noun

  1. a person who plays ball professionally, especially baseball.

  2. anyone who plays ball.


ballplayer British  
/ ˈbɔːlˌpleɪə /

noun

  1. a player, esp in soccer, with outstanding ability to control the ball

  2. a baseball player, esp a professional

"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 ballplayer

First recorded in 1610–20; ball 1 + player

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:

Bob was once so popular a ballplayer name that managers had to be careful not to trip over one Bob or another on their way through the clubhouse.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 17, 2025

Being a big league ballplayer may have been some kids’ dream, but it wasn’t his.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 3, 2025

Now, as filmmaker and recreational ballplayer Carson Lund points out, America’s pastime has become just another transactional activity — something you can schedule to get in and out of.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 14, 2025

“The more I see him every day the more I realize how special of a person and a ballplayer he is.”

From Seattle Times May 16, 2024

“So, say he was a ballplayer talking trash to you on the court,” Goldy said.

From "Slam!" by Walter Dean Myers

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