hockey
HO-kee
Hockey (noun) means a team sport in which players use curved sticks to hit a ball or puck into a goal. Example: “They watched a thrilling hockey match at the local rink.”
noun
1
A team sport in which players use curved sticks to hit a ball or puck into a goal.
"They watched a thrilling hockey match at the local rink."
"My brother plays hockey every Saturday with his friends from school."
"She bought a new stick because she wants to join a hockey club."
2
Ice hockey specifically, played on a rink with skates and a puck.
"Canada is famous for its passion for hockey."
"The crowd cheered as the skaters raced across the ice in the hockey final."
"He laced up his skates and went out to play hockey on the frozen lake."
3
Field hockey specifically, played on grass or turf with a ball.
"The school's hockey team practices on the pitch every afternoon."
"On rainy days, our hockey pitch gets so muddy that the ball barely rolls."
"She wore shin pads and a gumshield to her first hockey lesson on the grass."
How to use hockey
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA stick-and-goal team sport, played either on ice (ice hockey) or on a field (field hockey).
UK vs US
In the US, "hockey" alone usually means ice hockey; in the UK, it usually means field hockey unless "ice" is specified.
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Word forms
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They watched a thrilling _____ match at the local rink.
Etymology
First recorded in the 16th century; origin uncertain, but possibly linked to "hook", referring to the curved shape of the stick.
Class of 1500
hockey joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
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Rhymes for hockey
See all rhymes for hockey →Frequently asked questions
What does “hockey” mean?
The word “hockey” means a team sport in which players use curved sticks to hit a ball or puck into a goal. In plain terms, a stick-and-goal team sport, played either on ice (ice hockey) or on a field (field hockey).
How do you pronounce “hockey”?
“Hockey” is pronounced HO-kee (/ˈhɑ.ki/ in IPA).
How do you use “hockey” in a sentence?
Here is “hockey” used in a sentence: “They watched a thrilling hockey match at the local rink.”
What is another word for “hockey”?
Words with a similar meaning to “hockey” include ice hockey, field hockey, shinny and shinny hockey.
What part of speech is “hockey”?
“Hockey” is a noun.
Where does the word “hockey” come from?
The word “hockey” dates back to around 1500. First recorded in the 16th century; origin uncertain, but possibly linked to "hook", referring to the curved shape of the stick.
Is “hockey” a common word?
“Hockey” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “hockey” have?
“Hockey” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a team sport in which players use curved sticks to hit a ball or puck into a goal.
What is the difference between ice hockey and field hockey?
Both are team sports played with curved sticks, but the setting and object differ. Ice hockey is played on an ice rink, where skaters shoot a hard rubber puck into the goal. Field hockey is played on grass or turf, where runners hit a small ball. Ice hockey is faster and more physical.
What are the main types of hockey?
The best-known forms are ice hockey and field hockey. Others include roller hockey and inline hockey, played on wheels; street or ball hockey, played casually on pavement; and indoor variants like floorball. All share the same core idea: using sticks to drive a ball or puck into the opponent's goal.
How many players are on a hockey team?
It depends on the format. In ice hockey, six players are on the ice per side at a time, including the goaltender. In field hockey, eleven players take the field per team. Both sports also keep substitutes on the bench who rotate in during the game.
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