pickleball

noun

pick·​le·​ball ˈpi-kəl-ˌbȯl How to pronounce pickleball (audio)
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 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
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.
Verde Ranch welcomes lots of long-stay guests, so there’s plenty of community-minded activities to join, including a beautiful clubhouse, pickleball courts, fire pits, and a dog park. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2025 On the rooftop of the development’s parking garage there will be a private pickleball court, fitness center, steam room, sauna, cold plunge, outdoor shower and yoga lawn. Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025 The amenity area will have a pickleball court, gym, steam room, infrared sauna, cold plunge, outdoor shower, and yoga lawn. Lisa J. Huriash, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025 Campus amenities include a clubhouse, two restaurants, a fitness center and pickleball court, a 400-person conference facility/event space, and a partially below-grade parking garage covered by scenic, ocean-view green spaces and gardens. Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pickleball

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of pickleball was in 1973

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Cite this Entry

“Pickleball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pickleball. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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