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.
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 

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of basketball was in 1891

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 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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