basketball

noun

bas·​ket·​ball ˈba-skit-ˌbȯl 

often attributive

: a usually indoor court game between two teams of usually five players each who score by tossing an inflated ball through a raised goal

also : the ball used in this game

Examples of basketball in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Carr always had his dad, Chris Carr, to lean on during his journey as a basketball player. — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026

Last month, the Hawks extended and promoted Onsi Saleh to president of basketball operations. — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 26 June 2026

Lawren, who plays varsity basketball, is still recovering from bruises to her shoulder, arm and back according to the notice. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026

And Peterson, the Charlotte Hornets’ president of basketball operations, didn’t blink when the subject of player movement was broached in a wide-ranging chat about myriad topics. — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing basketball

• fantasy football/baseball/basketball

Rhymes for basketball

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol
• gossypol
• guaiacol

Kids Definition

basketball

noun

bas·​ket·​ball -ˌbȯl 

: a court game in which each of two teams tries to toss an inflated ball through a raised goal

also : the ball used in this game