ball
- noun
- /bɔl/
- During the game, he expertly caught the ball while running.
- throw the ball
- kick the ball
- hit the ball
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Watch on YouTubeYou know, it was a great ball from Milner.
- You know, it was a great ball from Milner.
- So it's here, pop the ball up, swipe under and catch.
- I put the Pokémon inside the ball and catch all the Pokémon.
- And it's easy to lose your ball over into their yard.
Examples
-
In my first two at-bats, I hit the ball hard and far, making two home runs.
Academic text (1990) -
Second base and shortstop, be ready to throw the ball home.
-
Getting this little ball into this cup.
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Well, can you throw a ball? - Not at all.
-
OK, so watch what happened if I spin the ball right?
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The count is two balls, one strike.
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When the music stops, the student with the ball begins passing the ball around the circle.
Academic text (2013) -
Give me the ball.
-
Our company just did a deal to donate a million soccer balls made out of disaster relief packaging to kids in the Sudan, so we do the logistics.
-
The children kicked the ball back and forth in the park.
Synonyms
A ball that is round in soccer or oval in American football
A small hard ball with a leather cover used in the sport played with bats and bases
A round ball you pump up and use in the game with a hoop
A small hard round thing with dimples that players hit in the game of golf
A large heavy ball with three finger holes used to knock down pins
A small yellow or white ball covered with felt used to play tennis
A round inflated object that players kick with their feet to play soccer
A large light ball filled with air for play on the beach or in a pool
A small, light, hollow plastic ball used in table tennis
A round ball filled with air used in the game played over a high net
A hard round ball used to play billiards on a table
A heavy leather ball you throw or lift to build strength and coordination
A small round object that players hit in pool, usually numbered and colored
A heavy ball in the Italian game of bocce that players roll to get close to the small target ball
A small rubber ball used to play the sport
A large lightweight plastic ball used for fun at the beach or pool
A soft, light ball thrown by players to try to hit others
A small rubber ball used in a fast game played in a court with four walls
A large rubber ball children kick in playground games
A small hollow rubber ball used to play an indoor racket sport
The ball the cue ball is meant to hit first
A large rubber ball used for playground games like four square or kickball
A small rubber ball used to play lacrosse
A small hard round object that players hit in field hockey
A small wooden ball that players hit with a long stick in the sport of polo
A small hard ball used in a game where players hit it with a mallet
Idioms
- Informal
In a difficult situation with little chance to make things better
- Informal
Leave a game or group angrily because you did not get your way
Compounds
- Jargon
A pitch that curves as it moves toward the batter because the pitcher throws it with spin
- Formal
A formal party where guests wear masks and costumes to hide who they are
- Specialized
A hammer with one flat face and one rounded end used to shape metal and drive rivets
A small round piece of chewing gum with a hard colored sugar coating often sold in vending machines
- Specialized
A basketball way where the referee tosses the ball between two players who jump to tap it to a teammate
- Specialized
A device with small metal balls that helps machine parts move with less rubbing
A player in football or rugby who holds the ball and tries to move forward to score
A heavy ball in the Italian game of bocce that players roll to get close to the small target ball
- Specialized
A ball hit by the batter that lands between the foul lines and is in play
- Specialized
A joint where a round bone end fits into a cup, allowing movement in many directions
- Jargon
A player who tries to win alone in important moments instead of trusting teammates
- UK
A ball bowled against the rules that gives the batting team a free hit on the next ball
- Specialized
A device that controls the flow of water or gas using a round ball inside
- Slang
A player who often steals or catches the ball from the other team to help their team
- Specialized
A valve with a floating ball that controls the water level in a toilet tank
- Jargon
Skill in catching the ball from opponents during a game, especially in football or basketball
- Specialized
A small metal case that contains a bullet and enough powder to fire it
How Big
Surface Forms
Etymology
Ball The word ball comes from an old German word meaning 'round thing', so imagine a small round object you can throw or kick, which is why ball means the round object used in games.