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
But Oklahoma State sank a pair of free throws and a jump ball was called on an inbound pass, the possession arrow pointing to OSU.
—
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
Oklahoma State made two free throws to get within three points and the Cowgirls forced a jump ball to regain possession.
—Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
The Warriors won the jump ball but couldn’t score, sending the game to overtime.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
What was her reaction to getting to do the game-opening jump ball?
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for jump ball
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Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
Oklahoma State made two free throws to get within three points and the Cowgirls forced a jump ball to regain possession.
—Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
The Warriors won the jump ball but couldn’t score, sending the game to overtime.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
What was her reaction to getting to do the game-opening jump ball?
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 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 9 Mar. 2026.
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