jump ball
noun
: a method of putting a basketball into play by tossing it into the air between two opponents who jump up and attempt to tap the ball to a teammate
also
: a ball put into play in this manner
Examples of jump ball in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After a jump ball, Miles chased down the ball at midcourt, started to drive and passed to Hof, whose layup at the buzzer did not fall.
—
Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 10 May 2026
Towns followed him, jumping onto Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye and forcing a jump ball.
—Matt Moret, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Facing uncertainty before the opening jump ball was thrown into the air at Kia Center on Friday night, the Charlotte Hornets’ chartered plane had two possible destinations.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 19 Apr. 2026
Some confusion led to a 50/50 jump ball, which Miami won and worked in a cross, and Germán Berterame headed it in at the back post.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
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Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 10 May 2026
Towns followed him, jumping onto Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye and forcing a jump ball.
—Matt Moret, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Facing uncertainty before the opening jump ball was thrown into the air at Kia Center on Friday night, the Charlotte Hornets’ chartered plane had two possible destinations.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 19 Apr. 2026
Some confusion led to a 50/50 jump ball, which Miami won and worked in a cross, and Germán Berterame headed it in at the back post.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for jump ball
Cite this Entry
“Jump ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jump%20ball. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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