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ball

noun (1), often attributive
\ ˈbȯl How to pronounce ball (audio) \

Definition of ball

 (Entry 1 of 5)

1 : a round or roundish body or mass: such 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
2a usually vulgar : testis

b balls plural

(1) often vulgar : nonsense —often used interjectionally
(2) often vulgar : nerve sense 3
3 : a game in which a ball is thrown, kicked, or struck also : quality of play in such a game
4a : 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 — The Times Literary Supplement (London) 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

ball

verb
balled; balling

Definition of ball (Entry 2 of 5)

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
3 US, informal : to play basketball Common shot all his own scenes on the hardwood, balling against NBA superstars Dwyane Wade and Dwight Howard.— Chris Richards

ball

noun (2)

Definition of ball (Entry 3 of 5)

1 : a large formal gathering for social dancing
2 : a very pleasant experience : a good time everyone had a ball at the wedding

Ball

biographical name (1)
\ ˈbȯl How to pronounce Ball (audio) \

Definition of Ball (Entry 4 of 5)

John died 1381 English priest and social agitator

Ball

biographical name (2)

Definition of Ball (Entry 5 of 5)

Lucille (Désirée) 1911–1989 American actress and comedienne
Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about ball

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Synonyms & Antonyms for ball

Synonyms: Verb

agglomerate, roll, round, wad

Antonyms: Verb

unroll

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Examples of ball in a Sentence

Verb

 I stood up quickly and balled my hands into fists. He balled the letter in his hands and threw it in the trash.

First Known Use of ball

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1577, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for ball

Noun (1)

Middle English bal, probably 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

Noun (2)

French bal, from Old French, from baller to dance, from Late Latin ballare, from Greek ballizein

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More Definitions for ball

ball

verb

English Language Learners Definition of ball

: to form (something) into a ball

See the full definition for ball in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ball

noun
\ ˈbȯl How to pronounce ball (audio) \

Kids Definition of ball

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 : something round or roundish a ball of yarn
2

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