kickball

noun kick·ball \ ˈkik-ˌbȯl \

|Updated on: 17 Jul 2018

Definition of kickball

: a game for children that resembles baseball but that is played with an inflated ball which is kicked instead of being hit with a bat

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Recent Examples of kickball from the Web

As our kids slip further into a world of screens and leave behind the monkey bars, aimless bike rides, and kickball games, there is an inevitable tradeoff: fitness and life in the real world, or Fortnite.

— alex salkever, Fortune, "Fortnite Is Poised to Rule the Summer. Are Parents Prepared?," 5 July 2018
For generations, children would play kickball, hide-and-seek and jump rope on a stretch of concrete at Weccacoe Playground, unaware the remains of 5,000 black Philadelphians were buried 18 inches beneath their feet.

— Washington Post, "Historic black burial site under playground to get memorial," 5 July 2018
Being eliminated in the group round cannot diminish the joy that the smiters brought to the world kickball tournament.

— steve rosenbloom, chicagotribune.com, "With Jameis Winston decision, NFL once again means Noted For Loathsomeness," 29 June 2018
During one of the early games Friday, a strong-footed participant sent a kickball sailing toward right-center field for what looked like a certain home run.

— joseph person, charlotteobserver, "A Falcons OTAs no-show, Julio Jones makes appearance at Cam Newton's kickball tourney," 1 June 2018
Delvin Breaux, a New Orleans native who played the last three seasons with the New Orleans Saints, said kickball also appealed to his roots.

— christopher dabe, NOLA.com, "Why kickball? Tyrann Mathieu explains at his charity event," 24 Mar. 2018
Planned activities include the Pitch, Hit, and Run competition, Jr. Home Run Derby, kickball and skills stations.

— craig davis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Marlins alumni to participate in four community events next week," 15 June 2018
The thing with the world kickball tournament is the fans are more entertaining than the game.

— steve rosenbloom, chicagotribune.com, "June is filled with pro sports drafts, so let's rank 'em," 15 June 2018
Jaime Gibson met Collins in an adult kickball league, and soon hit it off with the friendly, quick-witted communications officer who worked for the state House of Representatives in Harrisburg.

— tom avril, Philly.com, "He had 2 heart transplants. At 43, as a new dad, he needed a third," 13 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kickball.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of kickball

1922

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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KICKBALL Defined for Kids

kickball

noun kick·ball \ ˈkik-ˌbȯl \

Definition of kickball for Students

: a game similar to baseball played with a large rubber ball that is kicked instead of hit with a bat

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Definition of kickball

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