26984 words

ball

16 definitions • 17 examples
1
any object in the shape of a sphere, especially one used as a toy by children or in various sports such as tennis and football:

Examples:

a beach/golf/tennis ball
hit a ball Just try to concentrate on hitting the ball.
kick a ball They enjoy kicking a ball around the park.
throw a ball He could have thrown the ball to first baseman.
play a ball He had nobody to play the ball to in the box.
The kitten curled itself into a ball (= the shape of a ball).
2
a long piece of thread that has been rolled into a ball:

Examples:

a ball of string/wool
3
the rounded part of your foot or thumb where the toes join the foot and the thumb joins the hand
4
a ball-shaped Christmas decoration for hanging on a tree
5
in football, a pass from one player to another:

Examples:

Jones picked up a great ball from Campbell and rounded the keeper to score.
6
in cricket, a throw from the bowler (= person who throws the ball) to the batter:

Examples:

He was beaten by a great ball that spun past his bat.
7
in baseball, a ball that is thrown to the batter but that the batter does not try to hit because it is outside the hitting area:

Examples:

It's a full count: three balls, two strikes.
8
any game that involves throwing and catching a ball:

Examples:

play ball The kids were outside playing ball.
I like watching college/pro ball.
9
a large formal occasion where people dance:

Examples:

Did you go to the Summer Ball last year?
10

Examples:

He noticed a lump in his left ball.
11
to make something form a closed round shape:

Examples:

She balled her fists so her nails dug deep into her palms.
12
(of a man) to have sex with someone
13
a round object that can roll and usually bounce and that is used in many games in which it is thrown, hit, or kicked:

Examples:

a golf/soccer/tennis ball
14
The ball of the foot is the curved part where the big toe joins the foot.
15
a large, formal occasion where people dance
16
infml A ball is also any very enjoyable experience:

Examples:

"How was your weekend?" "We had a ball!"

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