jai alai

[ hahy lahy, hahy uh-lahy, hahy uh-lahy ]

noun

1. a game resembling handball, played on a three-walled court between two, four, or six players who are equipped with a long, curved wicker basket, or cesta, strapped to the wrist for catching and throwing a small, hard ball against the front wall.

jai alai

/ ˌhaɪ əˈlaɪ; ˈhaɪ əˌlaɪ; ˈhaɪ ˈlaɪ /

noun

1. a version of pelota played by two or four players

Word History and Origins

Origin of jai alai¹

1905–10; < Spanish < Basque, equivalent to jai game + alai merry

Word History and Origins

Origin of jai alai¹

via Spanish from Basque, from jai game, festival + alai merry

Example Sentences

Interest in gambling sports like jai alai and horse racing has declined tremendously since the late 20th century.

From Salon

"Like my dad always says: Everyone loves jai alai — some people just don’t know it yet," the younger Bueno said.

From Fox News

The first jai alai fronton in the U.S. was built in St. Louis, for the 1904 World’s Fair, and in its heyday the game was played in several states.

From Seattle Times

She and her brother Manuel were born in Cuba before coming to Miami, where their father was a professional jai alai player.

From New York Times

Arriola, 45, is a former youth international in jai alai who ran an unsuccessful campaign for mayor of Mexico City in 2018.

From Los Angeles Times