ball·park
ˈbȯl-ˌpärk 
1
: a park or stadium in which ball games (such as baseball) are played
2
: a range (as of prices or views) within which comparison or compromise is possible
see also:
: approximately correct : roughly estimated
a ballpark price
a ballpark figure
ballparked; ballparking; ballparks
informal
: to estimate (something) roughly or casually : to give a ballpark estimate of (something, such as a number or price)
The track doesn't release attendance numbers, but media members ballparked it at 42,500 in the facility, which seats more than 50,000.—
Michael Phillips
Michael PhillipsWhen I work with clients I remind them that we are just ballparking the numbers.—Bill Conerly
Bill ConerlyHe looked at the ceiling. He looked at the walls. He turned this way and that, craning his neck, like a contractor about to ballpark an estimate.—Lee Child
Lee ChildExamples of ballpark in a Sentence
Noun
hit a home run out of the ballpark
Adjective
We don't know exactly how many people live in this city, but a ballpark figure would be about two million.
I suspect that the ballpark costs we were quoted for the kitchen renovation will turn out to be too low.
Recent Examples on the Web
Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Depositions have taken place, including that of White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and the team’s director of event security, who also denied there was a gun in the ballpark.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
However, for a ballpark idea, Rewild Homes' somewhat similar Barred Owl is currently up for sale for CAD 150,000 (roughly US$110,000).
—Adam Williams
march 22, New Atlas, 22 Mar. 2026
Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Cheng ballparks it as somewhere between $25,000 and $50,000.
—Nerdwallet, Twin Cities, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballpark
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Noun
With the start of Major League Baseball's regular season this week, the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System makes its debut in all 30 ballparks.
—Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Depositions have taken place, including that of White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and the team’s director of event security, who also denied there was a gun in the ballpark.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
As players prepare to take the field on Thursday, March 26, ABC News tapped MLB and its vendors to reveal some of the best new ballpark bites and bring fans an early taste of what's on deck this season.
—Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
However, for a ballpark idea, Rewild Homes' somewhat similar Barred Owl is currently up for sale for CAD 150,000 (roughly US$110,000).
—Adam Williams
march 22, New Atlas, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
The average cost of an IVF cycle varies widely, but ballparks around $15,000, and many would-be parents need more than one cycle to successfully become pregnant.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Cheng ballparks it as somewhere between $25,000 and $50,000.
—Nerdwallet, Twin Cities, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballpark
Cite this Entry
“Ballpark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballpark. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ballpark
1 of 2 noun
ball·park
ˈbȯl-ˌpärk
: a park in which ball games are played
ballpark
2 of 2 adjective
: approximately correct
a ballpark figure
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