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netball

American

[net-bawl] / ˈnɛtˌbɔl /

noun

Tennis. a ball, on a return shot, that hits the top of the net and drops on the other side of the court, thus remaining in play.
British. a game similar to basketball, played with a soccer ball, usually outdoors.

netball British

/ ˈnɛtˌbɔːl /

noun

a team game similar to basketball, played mainly by women

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

netballer noun

Etymology

Origin of netball

First recorded in 1895–1900; net ¹ + ball ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In August 2024, she retired from netball after Cardiff Dragons did not offer her a contract for the 2024–25 season.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

But Ssentamu loves the way it combines elements of netball, football, volleyball, and rugby -- and also the equality between men and women, which is an official requirement for every team.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

Inspired by the treatment of an injury she suffered days before trialling for the Wales netball under-17s team, Meg landed what her parents called her "dream" place at Bournemouth University, where she studied physiotherapy.

From BBC • Dec. 1, 2025

That marks a shift in five years, with football rising by 2% and netball static.

From BBC • Oct. 2, 2025

“And captain of my netball team. And I could arm wrestle kids older than me and beat them.”

From "Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun" by Hena Khan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023