basketball

noun

bas·​ket·​ball ˈba-skit-ˌbȯl 

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

In 100 riveting profiles, top basketball writers justify their selections and uncover the history of the NBA in the process. —Sam Amick, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025

Taurasi is one of many unbelievable talents to come from the UConn women’s basketball pipeline. —Shane Young, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025

The next game on the Tigers’ schedule includes the calendar flipping to the month basketball fans dream of year-round: March. —Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025

Keeping up with other major basketball programs in the ability to compensate athletes is also a factor behind UConn’s efforts to build its football program and join one of the power conferences. —Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing basketball

• fantasy football/baseball/basketball

Rhymes for basketball

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• catarrhal
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol
• guaiacol

Kids Definition

basketball

noun

bas·​ket·​ball -ˌbȯl 

: 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