handball

noun

hand·​ball ˈhan(d)-ˌbȯl How to pronounce handball (audio)
1
: a game played in a walled court or against a single wall or board by two or four players who use their hands to strike the ball
2
: a small rubber ball used in handball

Examples of handball 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.
The most obvious momentum-shifter came in the final minute when Christian was called for a handball in the penalty box, setting up a 1 on 1 penalty kick. Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025 Gilmore plays a young woman called Grace who has taken refuge in an outdoor handball court. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2025 It is played indoors on a 40-x-20-metre pitch (the same dimensions as a handball court) and the ball is slightly smaller than a football, with less bounce. Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024 Arteta And The Power Of Vague Statements In November last year Arsenal conceded a controversial goal to Newcastle United where there were questions about the goal standing because of a potential foul, handball, offside and the ball being out of play. Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for handball

Word History

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of handball was in 1704

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Cite this Entry

“Handball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handball. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

handball

noun
hand·​ball -ˌbȯl How to pronounce handball (audio)
1
: a game played in a walled court or against a single wall or board by two or four players who use their hands to strike a ball
2
: the ball used in handball

More from Merriam-Webster on handball

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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