tetherball

noun

teth·​er·​ball ˈte-t͟hər-ˌbȯl How to pronounce tetherball (audio)
: a game played with a ball suspended by a string from an upright pole in which the object is to wrap the string around the pole by striking the ball in a direction opposite to that of one's opponent
also : the ball used in this game

Examples of tetherball 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.
What kinds of games and activities are available at Progress Park? Games and activities include boating, volleyball, shuffleboard, corn hole, horseshoes, gaga ball, tetherball, playground, tree swing, catch and release fishing (guests provide gear and bait) and a giant outdoor chess game. — Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 18 June 2024 The living room set was flanked by a piñata and a tetherball with a coffee table and assorted props down in front. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tetherball was in 1897

Rhymes for tetherball

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Browse Nearby Words

tether
tetherball
tether-devil
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Cite this Entry

“Tetherball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tetherball. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

tetherball

noun
teth·​er·​ball ˈtet͟h-ər-ˌbȯl How to pronounce tetherball (audio)
: a game played with a ball suspended by a string from an upright pole in which the object is to wrap the string around the pole by striking the ball in a direction opposite to that of one's opponent
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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