pickleball

noun

pick·​le·​ball ˈpi-kəl-ˌbȯl 

plural pickleballs

: an indoor or outdoor game that is played on a level court with short-handled paddles and a perforated plastic ball volleyed over a low net by two players or pairs of players

Pickleball is a paddle sport created for all ages and skill levels. This team sport can be played indoors or outdoors and takes place on a badminton court using a perforated plastic baseball (similar to a wiffle ball) and small paddles. The pickleball net is lowered to 34 inches for game play, and each game is played to a score of 11 points.

—The Winston-Salem (North Carolina) Journal

also : the ball used in this game

The day started out fine but a blast of chilly air soon blew through. When the clouds lifted there were strong winds which played havoc with the lightweight plastic pickleballs.

—Craig Garrett

pickleballer

ˈpi-kəl-ˌbȯ-lər 

noun

plural pickleballers

Other local pickleballers said they love how accessible the sport is whether you're a man, woman, youngster or senior. They said it's likely one of the reasons the sport has become increasingly popular …

—Brian Arola

Examples of pickleball in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Best Athleta Deals Whether your summer plans include heading out to pickleball courts, hanging out in airports, or even lounging with friends, Athleta has on-sale styles that are perfect for every occasion. —Amber Love Bond, Travel + Leisure, 5 May 2024

Community amenities at Dayton Creek include a fitness center, putting green, new pool and children’s waterpark, playground, picnic shelter with outdoor grills, winding trails, and pickleball and basketball courts. —Weichert Realtors® Welch & Company, Kansas City Star, 5 May 2024

The 780,000-square-foot facility offers bowling lanes; basketball, volleyball and pickleball courts; soccer fields; a driving range; gymnastics equipment and more. —David Waldstein, New York Times, 3 May 2024

Not to mention, the couple is currently adding a community pickleball court that will be easily accessible to the neighboring woodland, with many pathways and hiking trails. —Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 May 2024

And, finally, among its more unique features is a barn that has been converted into a pickleball court. —Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 2 May 2024

In honor of of Cinco de Mayo and the brand's pickle margarita cocktail, the pair can be seen playing a mean game of pickleball without pants. —Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024

Swift paired the item with a white tank top and brown shades while standing on what appears to be a pickleball court. —Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2024

From pickleball courts, and crocodile slides, to lazy rivers, the company aims to create truly a unique experience. —Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

pickle entry 1 + ball entry 1

Note: The game was invented in the summer of 1965 by a group of neighbors on Bainbridge Island, Washington, including then state representative Joel Prichard (1925-97), Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. According to one account, pickle was suggested by pickle boat, a boat in crew rowing made up of rowers not chosen by other teams (as pickleball was amalgamated from features of other paddle sports). Another account claims that pickle was inspired by a dog named Pickles owned by one of the neighbors (though it is also claimed that this dog was named after the sport). (See, among other sources, the website of the USA Pickleball Association, and www.pickleballportal.com.)

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above