transcription, транскрипция: [ bɔ:l ]
( balls, balling, balled)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
A ball is a round object that is used in games such as tennis, baseball, football, basketball, and cricket.
...a golf ball.
...a tennis ball.
N-COUNT
2.
A ball is something or an amount of something that has a round shape.
Thomas screwed the letter up into a ball...
They heard a loud explosion and saw a ball of fire go up.
N-COUNT : oft N of n
3.
When you ball something or when it balls , it becomes round.
He picked up the sheets of paper, and balled them tightly in his fists...
His hands balled into fists...
VERB : V n adv / prep , V adv / prep
4.
The ball of your foot or the ball of your thumb is the rounded part where your toes join your foot or where your thumb joins your hand.
N-COUNT : usu the N of n
5.
A ball is a large formal social event at which people dance.
N-COUNT
6.
A man’s balls are his testicles. ( INFORMAL, RUDE )
N-COUNT : usu pl
7.
see also balls
8.
If you say that the ball is in someone’s court , you mean that it is his or her responsibility to take the next action or decision in a situation.
The ball’s now in your court–you have to decide what you’re going to do.
PHRASE : V inflects
9.
If you get the ball rolling , set the ball rolling , or start the ball rolling , you start something happening.
He will go to the Middle East next week to get the ball rolling again on peace talks...
PHRASE : V inflects
10.
If someone is on the ball , they are very alert and aware of what is happening.
She really is on the ball; she’s bought houses at auctions so she knows what she’s doing.
PHRASE : v-link PHR
11.
If someone refuses to play ball , they are unwilling to do what someone wants them to do. ( INFORMAL )
The association has threatened to withdraw its support if the banks and building societies refuse to play ball.
PHRASE : V inflects