lob

1 of 4

noun (1)

dialectal British
: a dull heavy person : lout

lob

2 of 4

verb

lobbed; lobbing

transitive verb

1
: to let hang heavily : droop
2
: to throw, hit, or propel easily or in a high arc
3
: to direct (something, such as a question or comment) so as to elicit a response

intransitive verb

1
a
: to move slowly and heavily
b
: to move in an arc
2
: to hit a tennis ball easily in a high arc

lob

3 of 4

noun (2)

: a soft high-arching shot, throw, or kick

lob-

4 of 4

combining form

variants or lobo-
: lobe
lobar
lobotomy

Examples of lob in a Sentence

Verb She lobbed a throw to the pitcher. The soldier lobbed a grenade into the bunker. He lobbed the ball over his opponent's head.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Flagg who almost began the game with a highlight lob dunk, got off to a slow start, missing his only two shots from the field while adding six rebounds and two turnovers in the first half. Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2025 The Lakers had 28 assists on their 39 made shots, and just 10 turnovers, though Redick felt the Lakers could have racked up a few more assists with better accuracy on lob passes. Khobi Price, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
The endorsement comes as Cuomo has lobbed increasingly caustic attacks on Mamdani, equating his criticism of Israel with antisemitism and warning of a city beset by crime, hatred and disorder if his opponent wins. Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025 Accusations of ceasefire violations have been lobbed at both sides amid reports of clashes in Gaza. David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lob

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

probably of Low German origin; akin to Low German lubbe coarse person

Verb

lob a loosely hanging object

Combining form

lobe

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1508, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1599, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lob was in 1508

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lob. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

lob

1 of 2 verb
lobbed; lobbing
: to send (as a ball) in a high arc by hitting or throwing easily

lob

2 of 2 noun
: a lobbed throw or shot (as in tennis)

More from Merriam-Webster on lob

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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