- Definition
- Definition
- Example Sentences
- Word History
- Phrases Containing
- Related Articles
- Entries Near
-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
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
Caitlin Clark is the biggest name in women's basketball and women's sports.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 28 Nov. 2024
Coach Johnny Dawkins and UCF’s sometimes-underrated basketball team.
—Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Nov. 2024
Three television cameras showed up at practice Wednesday, exceeding recent media turnout for the football and men’s basketball teams.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
The Blue Devils and Jayhawks meet at Madison Square Garden in New York City as part of the State Farm Champions Classic, continuing one of college basketball's premier early-season traditions.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for basketball
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.
Word History
First Known Use
1891, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing basketball
Dictionary Entries Near basketball
Cite this Entry
“Basketball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basketball. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on basketball
Nglish: Translation of basketball for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of basketball for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about basketball
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share