softball

noun

soft·​ball ˈsȯf(t)-ˌbȯl 

1

: a sport similar to baseball played on a small diamond with a ball that is larger than a baseball and that is pitched underhand

also : the ball used in this game

2

: a question requiring only an easy or simple response

softballer

ˈsȯf(t)-ˌbȯ-lər 

noun

Examples of softball in a Sentence

Do you want to play softball?

All the questions in the interview were softballs.

Recent Examples on the Web

June 9, 2024 6 High School Sports The Times’ All-Star softball team A look at the Los Angeles Times’ 2024 All-Star softball team. —Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2024

There’s also a jogging trail, a basketball court and soccer and softball fields. —Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 5 June 2024

Advertisement The Pirates scored nine runs in the third inning, thumping the Bulldogs to claim the first regional softball championship in school history. —John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2024

Every remaining team is plenty familiar with Canady, who followed up being the nation’s best freshman by being college softball’s best player, period. —Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 30 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

softball

noun

soft·​ball ˈsȯf(t)-ˌbȯl 

: baseball played on a small diamond with a ball that is larger than a baseball and that is pitched underhand

also : the ball used in this game