three-point line
5
3.1
- noun
- Specialized
:
línea de tres puntos
- He made an incredible shot from the three-point line to win the game.
- shot from the three-point line
- foot behind the three-point line
- percent from the three-point line
Examples
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In the 1979-1980 season, the NBA introduced the three-point line.
Blog text (19) -
The Clippers have been pretty terrible at defending the three-point line this season.
Blog text (25) -
Just beyond the three-point line.
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I can pass the ball anywhere around the three-point line, and his form is perfect.
Blog text (11) -
One day they said we're going to have a three-point line in basketball.
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Hunter dribbles behind the three-point line.
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The ball rolled to Chuck, who snapped it up and shot from two feet beyond the three-point line.
Fiction book (1994) -
Basketball has thrived by being unafraid to make significant changes: shot clocks, the three-point line, wider foul lanes.
Blog text (1) -
He pivoted and shot a perfect fading jumper from behind the three-point line.
Fiction book (1994) -
With 5:20 remaining in the game, Angus Brandt collected a pass from Challe Barton at the top of the three-point line.
Blog text (2)
How Close
80
4.7
- Specialized
- Specialized
24
4.5
1
4.6
- Specialized
5
3.1
Surface Forms
Morphology
three-point + line
The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'three-point' (worth three points) with 'line' (a boundary or mark): it denotes the boundary beyond which shots score three points. Although domain-specific to basketball, the compound is fully compositional and follows common noun-compounding patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Three-point line comes from the actual line on a basketball court that marks where a shot must be taken to earn 'three points' instead of two. The curved line shows the extra distance, so shots made from behind the three-point line are worth more.