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 Pendleton Heights, leading by one point, attempted to run the clock down, but the ball was poked loose and in a scramble Greenfield-Central forced a jump ball, retaining possession with 28.1 seconds remaining. The Indianapolis Star, 27 Jan. 2024 Love finished a 19-17 Broncos win 20-of-31 for 180 yards and two touchdowns, but the two touchdowns were a ricocheted ball that landed in Romeo Doubs’ arms and a jump ball that just as easily could have been a Pat Surtain II interception. Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2024 Tied with two minutes remaining, both teams had blocks down the stretch, including Jayden Hardaway of Memphis blocking Smith at the rim leading to a jump ball with 12 seconds remaining. Clay Bailey, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2024 To wit: Ben Dowsett going nearly 5,000 words on the jump ball, that contested toss that has started every game of basketball since 1891. Peter Rubin, Longreads, 24 Feb. 2024 That soon changed as the Panthers gummed up the middle of the floor, deflected entry passes and forced jump balls. The Enquirer, 29 Jan. 2024 Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow loves trusting his top receivers with jump balls and go routes. Jon Hoefling, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2024 Whiteland then opened the door for Franklin to complete the comeback, turning it over on a jump ball at midcourt with 20 seconds remaining. The Indianapolis Star, 10 Jan. 2024 Robles missed a short jumper with five seconds left, but a jump ball on the rebound gave the ball back to Ridge. Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jump ball.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jump ball was in 1924

Dictionary Entries Near jump ball

Cite this Entry

“Jump ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jump%20ball. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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