: the act or an instance of putting the ball in play in basketball by a jump ball
Examples of tip-off in a Sentence
Noun (1)
the retreat of the island's wildlife to higher ground was a tip-off that a tsunami was about to strike
Recent Examples on the Web
ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
Or perhaps your real start of spring is the tip-off of March Madness.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
Ayton, who had been listed as questionable, was ultimately ruled out shortly before tip-off.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 10 Feb. 2026
All-City forward Araceli Gonzalez, one of nine Granada Hills seniors honored before tip-off, scored 14 of her team’s first 21 points but was held to four points in the second half.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tip-off
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Noun
On Maryland’s annual Field Trip Day game, Terrapins coach Brenda Frese wore a jersey with the number 67 on it before tip-off.
—ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
Or perhaps your real start of spring is the tip-off of March Madness.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
Ayton, who had been listed as questionable, was ultimately ruled out shortly before tip-off.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 10 Feb. 2026
All-City forward Araceli Gonzalez, one of nine Granada Hills seniors honored before tip-off, scored 14 of her team’s first 21 points but was held to four points in the second half.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tip-off
Cite this Entry
“Tip-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tip-off. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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