Illustration of ball-and-socket joint
- ball-and-socket joint 1
ball-and-socket joint
noun
ball-and-sock·et joint
ˈbȯl-ən(d)-ˈsä-kət- 
1
: a joint in which a ball moves within a socket so as to allow rotary motion in every direction within certain limits
2
: an articulation (such as the hip joint) in which the rounded head of one bone fits into a cuplike cavity of the other and admits movement in any direction
Examples of ball-and-socket joint in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The hip, which is a ball-and-socket joint at the upper thigh bone, is most likely to be fractured at its uppermost portion, known as the femoral neck.
—
Nina Shapiro, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Shepherds are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, painful genetic diseases in which the ball-and-socket joints fit together poorly.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 31 July 2023
The phone/camera mount features a ball-and-socket joint and the kit comes with the addition of a gooseneck mount for the ring light, making lighting and filming even the most intricate tabletop activities a breeze.
—Good Housekeeping, 8 Feb. 2023
The phone holder can be applied to the windshield or dashboard and features a telescopic arm with a pivoting ball-and-socket joint, allowing for a wide array of customization in terms of viewing angle.
—Nikolas Greenwald, Good Housekeeping, 10 Jan. 2023
Their wrist is made up of a ball-and-socket joint, much like our shoulders or hips.
—Discover Magazine, 17 Mar. 2011
At the end of each of the small primate’s hands are six fingers, including a long and adroit middle finger that can swivel in any direction due to its ball-and-socket joint, like a human shoulder, writes Defector’s Sabrina Imbler.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2022
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint that is mobile, but also unstable.
—Jen Murphy, WSJ, 15 Jan. 2022
The columns are substantial but are linked to the roof only with a daringly thin ball-and-socket joint.
—Anthony Paletta, WSJ, 14 Jan. 2022
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.
Nina Shapiro, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Shepherds are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, painful genetic diseases in which the ball-and-socket joints fit together poorly.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 31 July 2023
The phone/camera mount features a ball-and-socket joint and the kit comes with the addition of a gooseneck mount for the ring light, making lighting and filming even the most intricate tabletop activities a breeze.
—Good Housekeeping, 8 Feb. 2023
The phone holder can be applied to the windshield or dashboard and features a telescopic arm with a pivoting ball-and-socket joint, allowing for a wide array of customization in terms of viewing angle.
—Nikolas Greenwald, Good Housekeeping, 10 Jan. 2023
Their wrist is made up of a ball-and-socket joint, much like our shoulders or hips.
—Discover Magazine, 17 Mar. 2011
At the end of each of the small primate’s hands are six fingers, including a long and adroit middle finger that can swivel in any direction due to its ball-and-socket joint, like a human shoulder, writes Defector’s Sabrina Imbler.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2022
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint that is mobile, but also unstable.
—Jen Murphy, WSJ, 15 Jan. 2022
The columns are substantial but are linked to the roof only with a daringly thin ball-and-socket joint.
—Anthony Paletta, WSJ, 14 Jan. 2022
Dictionary Entries Near ball-and-socket joint
Cite this Entry
“Ball-and-socket joint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ball-and-socket%20joint. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share