handball

noun

hand·​ball ˈhan(d)-ˌbȯl How to pronounce handball (audio)
1
: a game played in a walled court or against a single wall or board by two or four players who use their hands to strike the ball
2
: a small rubber ball used in handball

Examples of handball in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The decision after review to award a penalty against Palace defender Jaydee Canvot for accidental handball on the goal line was plain wrong in law. Graham Scott, New York Times, 24 May 2026 Seattle was awarded the penalty when Boston's Jorelyn Carabalí was called for a handball in the box. CBS News, 23 May 2026 Seattle was awarded the penalty when Boston's Jorelyn Carabalí was called for a handball in the box. ABC News, 22 May 2026 His mother, Fayza, herself raised in Bondy by Algerian immigrant parents, was a top-level handball player. Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for handball

Word History

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of handball was in 1704

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Cite this Entry

“Handball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handball. Accessed 28 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

handball

noun
hand·​ball -ˌbȯl How to pronounce handball (audio)
1
: a game played in a walled court or against a single wall or board by two or four players who use their hands to strike a ball
2
: the ball used in handball

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