basketball

noun

bas·​ket·​ball ˈba-skit-ˌbȯl How to pronounce basketball (audio)
often attributive
: a usually indoor court game between two teams of usually five players each who score by tossing an inflated ball through a raised goal
also : the ball used in this game

Examples of basketball in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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There’s also a separate clubhouse for teens with amenities like a pool table, video game lounge, and basketball courts. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026 Boise State men’s basketball coach Tim Duryea is drawing the curtains on a 35-year coaching career, Boise State Athletics announced Friday morning. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 15 May 2026 Flagg confirmed his relationship with Duke women’s basketball center Arianna Roberson on Thursday with a post to his Instagram Story. Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026 As college athletic departments desperately look for money to pay mostly football and men’s basketball players, dumping a golf, tennis, track or swimming and diving program is an easy way to help with the budget. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for basketball

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of basketball was in 1891

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Cite this Entry

“Basketball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basketball. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

basketball

noun
bas·​ket·​ball -ˌbȯl How to pronounce basketball (audio)
: a court game in which each of two teams tries to toss an inflated ball through a raised goal
also : the ball used in this game

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