water polo

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noun

an aquatic game played by two teams of seven swimmers each, the object being to score goals by pushing, carrying, or passing an inflated ball and tossing it into the opponent's goal, defended by a goalkeeper.

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Origin of water polo

First recorded in 1885–90

Words nearby water polo

water plantain, water platter, water plug, water pocket, water pollution, water polo, water poppy, water power, water pox, waterproof, waterproofing

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

MORE ABOUT WATER POLO

What does water polo mean?

Water polo is a sport that involves two teams of swimmers competing to get a ball into the opposing team’s goal in order to score the most points. The game is played entirely in the water, requiring the players to tread water the entire time.

Water polo is an event at the Summer Olympic Games.

Water polo is typically played in a pool (or a roped-off area in a pool). Despite being in the water, the play area in water polo is called the field. Just as in soccer (football), there are goals at both ends. Games consist of four periods. Each team has seven players, including a goalkeeper.

Water polo rules

Players are not allowed to touch the bottom of the pool or hand on the sides. Players can hold the ball with one hand, “dribble” it by throwing it in front of them, or pass it to a teammate. Touching the ball with two hands is not allowed, with the exception of the goalkeeper. The ball is not allowed to be taken fully underwater.

Once a team has possession of the ball, they have 30 seconds to score a goal or possession of the ball transfers to the other team (much like how the shot clock works in basketball). Rules also govern what players are allowed to do when they are within a certain distance of the goal. Like in basketball and soccer, fouls are called for violations of the rules.

Example: Water polo is known for being a sport that requires great stamina.

Where does water polo come from?

The first records of the term water polo come from the late 1800s. The only real similarity between modern water polo and the sport known as polo is the objective: getting a ball into the opponents’ goal. However, an early version of the sport that became known as water polo involved players riding barrels in water and hitting the ball with sticks, similar to how polo players ride horses while hitting a ball with long-handled mallets.

Water polo originated in the U.K., where it was also once called football in the water because of its similarity to football (soccer). It was first included as an Olympic event in 1900. Women’s water polo was added as an Olympic event in 2000.

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How is water polo used in real life?

Water polo is known for requiring endurance since players must swim and tread water for the entire game.

Good luck to men's water polo team today. Looking for 7th straight national championship. Running out of ring fingers. Fight on!

— Pat Haden (@ADHadenUSC) December 7, 2014

UCLA finishes 30-0 in water polo. Perfection.

— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) December 7, 2015

Men’s Water Polo takes down Pepperdine in a 11-8 victory! Next round for the MPSF Tournament is @ 4pm against UCLA! #GoBeach

— LBSU Athletics (@LBSUAthletics) November 20, 2015

Try using water polo!

True or False?

In water polo, players are allowed to hide the ball underwater.

How to use water polo in a sentence

Bucklew and Gallegos never returned to the district, but Burgess eventually returned to coaching water polo.
Coronado Community Has Rallied to Defend Many Embattled Coaches|Kayla Jimenez|July 12, 2021|Voice of San Diego
“This is eerily reminiscent of a similar debate in Coronado a few years ago over a fired water polo coach,” Johnson wrote.
Coronado Community Has Rallied to Defend Many Embattled Coaches|Kayla Jimenez|July 12, 2021|Voice of San Diego
A college water polo player with Olympic ambitions, Ueberroth had his nose broken five times during his career, and only allowed the cameras to shoot him from one side.
We've Been Saying the Olympic Games Are Dead for Decades. Here's Why They Keep Going|L. Jon Wertheim|June 23, 2021|Time
Other sports, such as men’s and women’s water polo, have earned spots in the Tokyo tournament but have not set their rosters.
Which U.S. athletes have qualified to compete at the Tokyo Olympics?|Rick Maese, Emily Giambalvo|May 7, 2021|Washington Post

Tokyo was scheduled to host test events in the coming weeks for diving, artistic swimming and water polo.
For many U.S. Olympic hopefuls, Tokyo preparations include vaccine shots|Rick Maese|April 7, 2021|Washington Post
Fluoride first entered an American water supply through a rather inelegant technocratic scheme.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
When cities started adding chlorine to their water supplies, in the early 1900s, it set off public outcry.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
Before anti-vaxxers, there were anti-fluoriders: a group who spread fear about the anti-tooth decay agent added to drinking water.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
Placed in drinking water, fluoride can serve people who otherwise have poor access to dental care.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
In secret, before the referendum, the council went ahead and fluoridated the water anyway.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
Urbanity ushers in water that needs no apology, and gives a zest to the worst vintage.
Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou
The two women had no intention of bathing; they had just strolled down to the beach for a walk and to be alone and near the water.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
Mrs. Woodbury paints in oils and water-colors; the latter are genre scenes, and among them are several Dutch subjects.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D.|Clara Erskine Clement
But there was a breeze blowing, a choppy, stiff wind that whipped the water into froth.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
She threw out her arms as if swimming when she walked, beating the tall grass as one strikes out in the water.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin

British Dictionary definitions for water polo

water polo

noun

a game played in water by two teams of seven swimmers in which each side tries to throw or propel an inflated ball into the opponents' goal

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