ball

The definition of a ball is a round object in the shape of a sphere or any sport that uses such an object in its play.

(noun)

  1. An example of a ball is a baseball or basketball.
  2. An example of a sport that can be referred to as ball is basketball.

To ball is defined as to make something into a spherical shape.

(verb)

An example of making something into a ball is when you make cookies out of dough and place the dough in rounded shapes on the cookie sheet.

To have a ball is defined as to have a good time.

(noun)

An example of someone having a ball is a person dancing at a party.

To carry the ball is defined as to be accountable.

(noun)

An example of someone carrying the ball is an employee doing the duties of a co-worker who is sick.

To get on the ball is defined as to do what you are supposed to, or to stop silly behavior.

(noun)

An example of someone getting on the ball is a student doing his classwork instead of playing with a friend.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See ball in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. any round, or spherical, object; sphere; globe
  2. a planet or star, esp. the earth
    1. a round or egg-shaped object used in various games
    2. any of several such games, esp. baseball
  3. a throw or pitch of a ball
    1. a solid missile or projectile for a cannon or firearm
    2. such projectiles for firearms, collectively
  4. a rounded part of the body: the ball of the foot
  5. Slang
    1. Vulgar a testicle: usually used in pl.
    2. daring or courage
  6. Baseball a pitch that is wide of the plate or goes above the armpit (or shoulder in slow-pitch softball) or below the knee of the batter, who does not swing at it: four balls allow the batter to go to first base
  7. Hort. the roots of a plant, bound and packed for shipping

Origin: ME bal < OE *beallu < IE base *bhel-, to swell > bowl, bladder, ON bǫllr, OHG balla, Gr phallos, L follis & flare

intransitive verb, transitive verb

  1. to form into a ball
  2. Slang, Vulgar to have sexual intercourse (with)

noun

  1. a formal social dance
  2. Slang an enjoyable time, event, or experience

Origin: Fr bal < OFr baller, to dance < LL ballare < Gr ballein, to throw (with sense of ballizein, to dance, jump about) < IE base *gwel-, to drip, spring forth, throw > Ger quelle, a spring

Ball, John died 1381; Eng. priest: executed as an instigator of the Peasants' Revolt of 1381

Slang a person characterized, usually figuratively, by (a specified negative quality): often used attributively: a slimeball gambler

See ball in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. A spherical object or entity: a steel ball.
    b. A spherical or almost spherical body: a ball of flame.
  2. Sports
    a. Any of various rounded, movable objects used in various athletic activities and games.
    b. Such an object moving, thrown, hit, or kicked in a particular manner: a low ball; a fair ball.
    c. A game, especially baseball or basketball, played with such an object.
    d. A pitched baseball that does not pass through the strike zone and is not swung at by the batter.
  3. a. A solid spherical or pointed projectile, such as one shot from a cannon.
    b. Projectiles of this kind considered as a group.
  4. A rounded part or protuberance, especially of the body: the ball of the foot.
  5. balls Vulgar Slang
    a. The testicles.
    b. Courage, especially when reckless.
    c. Great presumptuousness.
verb balled, ball·ing, balls
verb, transitive
  1. To form into a ball.
  2. Vulgar Slang To have sexual intercourse with.
verb, intransitive
  1. To become formed into a ball.
  2. Vulgar Slang To have sexual intercourse.
Phrasal Verb: ball up To confuse; bungle.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English bal

Origin: , probably from Old English *beall; see bhel-2 in Indo-European roots

.

noun
  1. A formal gathering for social dancing.
  2. Informal An extremely enjoyable time or experience: We had a ball during our vacation.

Origin:

Origin: French bal

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from baller, to dance

Origin: , from Late Latin ballāre

Origin: , from Greek ballizein; see gwelə- in Indo-European roots

.

English social agitator who was executed for his role in the Peasants' Revolt (1381).

, Lucille 1911-1989.

American actress best known as the star of the popular situation comedy I Love Lucy (1951-1957).

Learn more about ball

Related Articles

ball

link/cite print suggestion box