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
The play was pretty much a jump ball in the back of the end zone that is pretty much there anytime North Crowley wants to dial it up.
—
Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Nov. 2025
With the ball loose at the time of the goal-tending call, there was a jump ball between the two teams to determine possession.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 Nov. 2025
Play resumed with a jump ball at midcourt that the Knicks controlled.
—CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025
On the next play, Hurts threw a jump ball that DeVonta Smith came down with for a 36-yard touchdown and a two-score lead that was insurmountable in Monday night’s conditions.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
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Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Nov. 2025
With the ball loose at the time of the goal-tending call, there was a jump ball between the two teams to determine possession.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 Nov. 2025
Play resumed with a jump ball at midcourt that the Knicks controlled.
—CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025
On the next play, Hurts threw a jump ball that DeVonta Smith came down with for a 36-yard touchdown and a two-score lead that was insurmountable in Monday night’s conditions.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 11 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 28 Nov. 2025.
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