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

Reese continues to reach consumers who might not watch basketball via these ventures. — Jason Jones, New York Times, 24 July 2026

On the rocket ship that is women’s sports, softball is a few steps behind basketball or soccer. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 24 July 2026

The 41-year-old star basketball player has left the Los Angeles Lakers and has signed with the 76ers in a two-year, $8 million deal, according to ESPN. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 24 July 2026

Massoud played basketball and softball through high school; her siblings also played sports, including soccer. — Pj Green july 24, Kansas City Star, 24 July 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