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

New York City — There is an ever-growing love story between the game of golf and basketball. — Omar Jimenez, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026

Iger is a longtime basketball aficionado — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver reportedly introduced him to Bay, a former NBA journalist, 30 years ago — but his particular background makes his Lakers ownership a bit strange. — Greg Beacham, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026

New Georgia Tech men’s basketball coach Scott Cross will work on a contract similar to his predecessor, compensation that is on the low end for the ACC. — Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Now, Gascón — whose entire family survived — is among hundreds residing in a tent city in a large sports complex that includes facilities for soccer, basketball, volleyball and other sports. — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing basketball

• fantasy football/baseball/basketball

Rhymes for basketball

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol
• gossypol
• guaiacol

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