handball

noun

hand·​ball ˈhan(d)-ˌbȯl 

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

Frank Lampard’s goal-that-never-was for England against Germany and Luis Suarez’s on-the-line handball for Uruguay that all-but-denied Ghana a spot in the semi-final were highlights away from Spain winning their first title. — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 19 July 2026

In 1986 Maradona’s infamous uncalled handball/goal for Argentina beat England in the World Cup quarterfinals. — Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

In the quarterfinals of that tournament, with Germany leading 1-0 in the 40th minute, an obvious handball by Germany’s Torsten Frings kept out a shot from American Gregg Berhalter. — Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026

Many children participate in several sports at once, as Haaland did with handball, soccer, track and field and golf. — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing handball

• team handball

Rhymes for handball

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale

Kids Definition

handball

noun

hand·​ball -ˌbȯl 

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