gumball

noun

gum·​ball ˈgəm-ˌbȯl How to pronounce gumball (audio)
plural gumballs
: a ball of chewing gum in a candied shell
Ah, the gumball machine. That tempting, rainbow-hued orb of treats that lurks outside every supermarket, dry cleaner and amusement park in America. Just a quarter gets you a sweet treat to bubble and stretch as you please, but how long has that gumball been sitting there?Melissa Kravitz

Examples of gumball in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This particular example—which is finished in silver with white racing gumballs—was the first to claim victory, at the 1954 French Grand Prix. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2025 Beautifully soft tannins in a luscious mid palate that is balanced, harmonious and layered with all things nice—peppercorns, Dutch salty licorice, red cherries, gumballs, black berries, mushrooms and anise on the finish. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025 The season promises deadly new games, one of which involves a giant gumball machine. Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025 It is finished in a rather fetching metallic blue and white paint and features a white no. 1 racing gumball on the hood and fenders. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gumball

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gumball was in 1855

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gumball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gumball. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!