ballpark

or ball park

[ bawl-pahrk ]

noun

1. a tract of land where ball games, especially baseball, are played.
2. a baseball stadium.

adjective

1. Informal. being an approximation, based on an educated guess:

   Give me a ballpark figure on our total expenses for next year.

ballpark

/ ˈbɔːlˌpɑːk /

noun

1. a stadium used for baseball games
2. informal.
   1. approximate range

      in the right ballpark

   2. ( as modifier )

      a ballpark figure

3. informal.
   a situation; state of affairs

   it's a whole new ballpark for him

Word History and Origins

Origin of ballpark¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; ball ¹ + park

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in the ballpark, Informal. within reasonable, acceptable, or expected limits:

   The price may go up another $10, but that's still in the ballpark.

Example Sentences

The Dodgers could be open to still paying Buehler something in that ballpark, depending on how the rest of his market develops.

From Los Angeles Times

Once the team snaked up the 110 Freeway and returned to the ballpark, they roared in approval as Ice Cube performed on stage — with an ecstatic Roberts dancing beside him — and introduced the team.

From Los Angeles Times

President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman did the same when Buehler broached the topic at the ballpark.

From Los Angeles Times

For the first time this week, they’ll also arrive at the ballpark buoyed by a sudden burst of momentum.

From Los Angeles Times

“We’re not even in the right ballpark,” said Quan, who previously told the county supervisors that he thought the ethics reforms in Measure G were “half-baked.”

From Los Angeles Times

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