basketball

noun

bas·​ket·​ball ˈba-skit-ˌbȯl How to pronounce basketball (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Outpost is a modern fitness and recreation center with an outdoor pool and jacuzzi, sauna and ice plunge, pickleball and tennis courts, basketball court, a rock-climbing wall, a yoga studio and Pilates, a stocked fishing pond, and a dog park. Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025 The primary goal was to have an organization to participate in various competitive sporting events, such as baseball, basketball and boxing. Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025 The rivalry will be renewed on the hardwood in December, with the men’s basketball teams squaring off Dec. 11 at the new Lee & Penny Anderson Arena in St. Paul. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 22 Aug. 2025 Missouri School of Journalism graduate Steve Weinman was hired as Wake Forest’s men’s and women’s basketball general manager and senior associate athletic director for analytics, the school announced Thursday. Andy Theobald, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for basketball

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of basketball was in 1891

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Cite this Entry

“Basketball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basketball. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

basketball

noun
bas·​ket·​ball -ˌbȯl How to pronounce basketball (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on basketball

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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