backspin

noun

back·​spin ˈbak-ˌspin 

: a backward rotary motion of a ball

Examples of backspin in a Sentence

put backspin on the ball

Recent Examples on the Web

As many as four balls can be in play in multi-ball mode, and the cameras can track up to five players concurrently from fingertips to legs, analyzing shot trajectory, backspins, court positions and scoring. — Shirl Leigh july 13, New Atlas, 13 July 2026

This is why baseball players try to create backspin to hit home runs. — Rhett Allain, Wired News, 13 June 2026

Mercury’s pre-retrograde shadow (the weeks leading up to the celestial backspin when the planet slows down), which began on June 13 in water Cancer, starts the story for the planet’s moonwalk that commences on June 29. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 10 June 2026

However, the ball had some backspin after landing, and rolled harmlessly across the goal line. — Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 9 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

backspin

noun

back·​spin -ˌspin 

: a backward spinning motion of a ball