volleyball

American  

[vol-ee-bawl] / ˈvɒl iˌbɔl /

noun

1. a game for two teams in which the object is to keep a large ball in motion, from side to side over a high net, by striking it with the hands before it touches the ground.

2. the ball used in this game.

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volleyball British  

/ ˈvɒlɪˌbɔːl /

noun

1. a game in which two teams hit a large ball back and forth over a high net with their hands

2. the ball used in this game

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Etymology

Origin of volleyball

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; volley + ball ¹

Explanation

Interested in playing a team sport? Consider volleyball, a game in which players use their arms and hands to hit a ball across a net, trying to keep the ball in the air. Teams score a point when the volleyball hits the floor on their opponent's side. There are two ways to play volleyball: in a gym and outside in the sand, a style known as beach volleyball. The indoor version requires six players per team, while the beach style has two players per side. Volleyball is a serious sport (it's even played in the Olympics), but you can also play for fun at a picnic or at the beach. Volleyball was invented in the late 1800s, right around the time basketball was first catching on.

Example Sentences

Steven van de Velde, 31, was due to play at the Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide, South Australia, next month.

From BBC • Oct. 27, 2025

In recent years the country has staged a Basketball World Cup, a Volleyball World Championship and the Southeast Asian Games.

From Barron's • Oct. 25, 2025

Destler, who started playing for Klein’s Sunshine Volleyball Club when she was 8, takes that message to heart.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 29, 2025

“If all goes well, it’s about a six- to eight-hour build from start to finish with the court,” said Logan Dan, head of operations for AVP Professional Beach Volleyball Tours.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 11, 2025

Volleyball was the worst thing in the entire world.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness