basketball

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.

“Basketball” is pronounced BAHS-kiht-bawl (/ˈbæs.kɪt.bɔl/ in IPA).

Here is “basketball” used in a sentence: “They played basketball every day after school.”

“Basketball” is a noun.

“Basketball” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.