volleyball

American

[vol-ee-bawl] / ˈvɒl iˌbɔl /

noun

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.
the ball used in this game.

volleyball British

/ ˈvɒlɪˌbɔːl /

noun

a game in which two teams hit a large ball back and forth over a high net with their hands
the ball used in this game

"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 volleyball

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

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.

The 20 Make Great Plays members play soccer, baseball, lacrosse, tennis and volleyball at Westlake High.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Her father described her as an avid volleyball player, who would always turn up to the sports hall 20 to 25 minutes early.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Publicly available images paint a picture of daily life in the town's sports hall, where schoolchildren played volleyball tournaments and students sat exams.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

A federal investigation was launched in February 2025 after controversy over Blaire Fleming disrupted the 2024 volleyball season.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

The way I looked at it, giving up either volleyball or fencing would mean giving up not only an opportunity to develop my athletic abilities, but also my primary opportunity to socialize.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023