BALL - Definition & Meaning for Kids

Simple definitions and word synonyms for kids.

Meaning 1

Part of speech: Verb

form into a ball by winding or rolling

Example: ball wool

Categories: Wind, Wrap, Roll, Twine

Meaning 2

Part of speech: Noun

an object with a spherical shape

Example: a ball of fire

Categories: Sphere

Meaning 3

Part of speech: Noun

the people assembled at a lavish formal dance

Example: the ball was already emptying out before the fire alarm sounded

Categories: Dance

Meaning 4

Part of speech: Noun

a spherical object used as a plaything

Example: he played with his rubber ball in the bathtub

Categories: Plaything, Toy

Meaning 5

Part of speech: Noun

United States comedienne best known as the star of a popular television program (1911-1989)

Meaning 6

Part of speech: Noun

a compact mass

Example: a ball of mud caught him on the shoulder

Categories: Agglomeration

Meaning 7

Part of speech: Noun

a lavish dance requiring formal attire

Categories: Dance

Meaning 8

Part of speech: Noun

a more or less rounded anatomical body or mass

Example: the ball at the base of the thumb; he stood on the balls of his feet

Categories: Structure, Anatomical structure, Complex body part, Bodily structure, Body structure

Meaning 9

Part of speech: Noun

the game of baseball

Categories: Baseball, Baseball game

Meaning 10

Part of speech: Noun

a pitch that is not in the strike zone

Example: he threw nine straight balls before the manager yanked him

Categories: Pitch, Delivery

Synonyms

Orchis, Clump, Nut, Bollock, Musket ball

🌱 Word Origin (Etymology)

The word "ball" comes from Late Latin ballō. It started in Old French baller. Then it appeared in Middle French baler, which was borrowed from Middle French bal. Later, people used it in Proto-Indo-European *bʰel-. After that, it was Proto-Indo-European *bʰoln-. Over time, it became Proto-Germanic *balluz. Finally, it reached Old Norse bǫllr. It started in Old English *beall. Then it appeared in Middle English bal. Many other languages have similar words:.

  • Old Saxon: ball
  • Dutch: bal
  • Old High German: bal
  • German: Ball

🔗 Related Words

balloon – A related word in the same word family.

bale – A related word in the same word family.

🧩 Fun Fact

This word's path shows how empires, trade, and scholarship spread vocabulary across continents.