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
Like Coleman, Boston’s size (6-4, 210) and physicality enable him to win more than his fair share of jump balls, but the Huskie wideout is a more polished route-runner, especially on slants and comebacks.
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Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2025
Henry ran a corner route, and later caught a jump ball Maye flipped while under pressure to convert on third down.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 3 Dec. 2025
Needing to avoid a five-second call, McDaniels threw a jump ball to Julius Randle, which was batted away by Lu Dort.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
But Sphere Abacus means Bell Media has positioned itself for jump balls in a fast-changing global TV landscape.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jump ball
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Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2025
Henry ran a corner route, and later caught a jump ball Maye flipped while under pressure to convert on third down.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 3 Dec. 2025
Needing to avoid a five-second call, McDaniels threw a jump ball to Julius Randle, which was batted away by Lu Dort.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
But Sphere Abacus means Bell Media has positioned itself for jump balls in a fast-changing global TV landscape.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 24 Nov. 2025
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 8 Dec. 2025.
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