basketball
BAHS-kiht-bawl
Basketball (noun) means a team sport in which players score points by throwing a ball through a raised hoop. Example: “They played basketball every day after school.”
noun
1
A team sport in which players score points by throwing a ball through a raised hoop.
"Children playing basketball at their home in front of the John Amos coal-fired power plant in Poca, W.Va. President Biden’s infrastructure plan includes climate change measures that aim to close coal-fired plants."
— Emily Cochrane, In Infrastructure Talks With Biden, Capito Faces Fraught Path to Deal (2021)
"They played basketball every day after school."
"He pursued basketball as his career."
"Basketball is popular at our school, and the gym is always busy."
"Do you want to watch the basketball on television tonight?"
2
The inflated ball used to play this sport.
"He dribbled the basketball down the court."
"I need to pump some air into this flat basketball."
"She bounced the basketball twice before taking her shot."
How to use basketball
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe hoop sport, or the ball used to play it.
Common pairings
play basketball
basketball court
basketball team
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Word forms
- Plural
- basketballs
- Third person singular
- basketballs
- Past tense
- basketballed
Fill the gap
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They played _____ every day after school.
Etymology
From basket + ball, since the game was originally played by throwing a ball into peach baskets.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for basketball
See all rhymes for basketball →Frequently asked questions
What does “basketball” mean?
The word “basketball” means a team sport in which players score points by throwing a ball through a raised hoop. In plain terms, the hoop sport, or the ball used to play it.
How do you pronounce “basketball”?
“Basketball” is pronounced BAHS-kiht-bawl (/ˈbæs.kɪt.bɔl/ in IPA).
How do you use “basketball” in a sentence?
Here is “basketball” used in a sentence: “They played basketball every day after school.”
What part of speech is “basketball”?
“Basketball” is a noun.
Is “basketball” a common word?
“Basketball” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “basketball” have?
“Basketball” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a team sport in which players score points by throwing a ball through a raised hoop.
How many players are on a basketball team?
Five players from each team are on the court at once, usually a mix of guards, forwards, and a centre. Full squads carry extra players who substitute in and out during the game. The aim is to score by throwing the ball through the opponent's raised hoop.
What is the difference between basketball and netball?
Both involve scoring through a raised hoop, but netball has no backboard, forbids dribbling, and restricts players to set zones on the court. Basketball allows dribbling, running with the ball, and full-court movement. Basketball is played worldwide by all genders; netball is most popular in Commonwealth countries.
Where was basketball invented?
Basketball was invented in 1891 by James Naismith, a physical education teacher in Springfield, Massachusetts. He wanted an indoor game to keep students active in winter and used a peach basket as the first hoop. The sport spread quickly and is now played around the world.
What are the basic rules of basketball?
Players move the ball by dribbling or passing and score by throwing it through the hoop, worth two or three points depending on distance. Running while holding the ball, called travelling, is not allowed. Fouls for illegal contact can award free throws. The team with more points wins.
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