/ bɔːl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a round object used for throwing, hitting or kicking in games and sports :
a golf / tennis / cricket ball
Bounce the ball and try and hit it over the net.
—picture at hockey
2.
a round object or a thing that has been formed into a round shape :
The sun was a huge ball of fire low on the horizon.
a ball of string
Some animals roll themselves into a ball for protection.
3.
a kick, hit or throw of the ball in some sports :
He sent over a high ball.
4.
( in baseball ) a throw by the pitcher that the batter does not have to hit because it is not accurate
5.
ball of the foot / hand the part underneath the big toe or the thumb
—picture at body
6.
[ usually pl. ] ( taboo , informal ) a testicle
—see also balls
7.
a large formal party with dancing
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IDIOMS
- a ball and chain
- the ball is in your / sb's court
- a ball of fire
- get / set / start / keep the ball rolling
- have a ball
- have something / a lot on the ball
- (be) on the ball
- play ball (with sb)
- the whole ball of wax
—more at carry verb , drop verb , eye noun
■ verb
1.
to form sth or be formed into the shape of a ball :
[ v ]
Her hands balled into fists.
[ vn ]
My hands were balled into fists.
2.
[ vn ] ( NAmE , taboo , slang ) (of a man) to have sex with a woman
••
WORD ORIGIN
noun senses 1 to 6 and verb Middle English : from Old Norse bo̧llr , of Germanic origin.
noun sense 7 early 17th cent.: from French bal a dance, from late Latin ballare to dance; related to Greek ballizein to dance (also ballein to throw).