First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1ball
noun, often attributive \ˈbȯl\
Definition of BALL
1
: a round or roundish body or mass: as a : a spherical or ovoid body used in a game or sport <a tennis ball> —used figuratively in phrases like the ball is in your court to indicate who has the responsibility or opportunity for further action b : earth, globe c : a spherical or conical projectile; also : projectiles used in firearms d : a roundish protuberant anatomical structure (as near the tip of a human finger or toe or at the base of a thumb); especially : the part of the sole of the human foot between the toes and arch on which the main weight of the body rests in normal walking
2
3
: a game in which a ball is thrown, kicked, or struck; also : quality of play in such a game
4
a : a pitch not swung at by the batter that fails to pass through the strike zone b : a hit or thrown ball in various games <foul ball>
— on the ball
1
: competent, knowledgeable, alert <the other introductory essay … is much more on the ball — Times Literary Supplement> <keep on the ball>
2
: of ability or competence <if the teacher has something on the ball, the pupils won't squirm much — New Yorker>
Origin of BALL
Middle English bal, prob from Old English *beall; akin to Old English bealluc testis, Old High German balla ball, Old Norse bǫllr, Old English blāwan to blow — more at blow
2ball
verb
Definition of BALL
transitive verb
1
: to form or gather into a ball <balled the paper into a wad>
2
usually vulgar : to have sexual intercourse with
intransitive verb
1
: to form or gather into a ball
2
usually vulgar : to engage in sexual intercourse
See ball defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BALL
1658
Related to BALL
- Synonyms
- agglomerate, wad, roll, round
- Antonyms
- unroll
3ball
noun
Definition of BALL
1
: a large formal gathering for social dancing
2
: a very pleasant experience : a good time <everyone had a ball at the wedding>
Origin of BALL
French bal, from Old French, from baller to dance, from Late Latin ballare, from Greek ballizein
First Known Use: circa 1639
Ball
biographical name \ˈbȯl\
Definition of BALL
John d 1381 Eng. priest & social agitator
Ball
biographical name
Definition of BALL
Lucille (Désirée) 1911–1989 Am. actress & comedienne
BALL Defined for Kids
1ball
noun \ˈbȯl\
Definition of BALL for Kids
1
: something round or roundish <a ball of yarn>
2
: a round or roundish object used in a game or sport
3
: a game or sport (as baseball) played with a ball
4
: a solid usually round shot for a gun
5
: the rounded bulge at the base of the thumb or big toe <the ball of the foot>
6
: a pitched baseball that is not hit and is not a strike
2ball
verb
balledball·ing
Definition of BALL for Kids
: to make or come together into a ball <He balled his fists.>
3ball
noun
Definition of BALL for Kids
1
: a large formal party for dancing
2
: a good time <I had a ball at the wedding.>
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