ball

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 a round object used for throwing, hitting or kicking in games and sports: a golf / tennis / cricket ball * Bounce the ball and try and hit it over the net. 2 a round object or a thing that has been formed into a round shape: The sun was a huge ball of fire low on the horizon. * a ball of string * Some animals roll themselves into a ball for protection. 3 a kick or hit of the ball in some sports, or (in cricket) a throw of the ball by the BOWLER to the BATSMAN: He sent over a high ball. 4 (in baseball) a throw by the PITCHER that the BATTER does not have to hit because it is not accurate 5 ~ of the foot / hand the part underneath the big toe or the thumb 6 [usuallypl.] (!!!, informal) a TESTICLE seealsoBALLS 7 a large formal party with dancing IDIOMS a ball and chain (BrE) a problem that prevents you from doing what you would like to do the ball is in your / sb's court it is your/sb's responsibility to take action next: They've offered me the job, so the ball's in my court now. get / set / start / keep the ball rolling to make sth start happening; to make sure that sth continues to happen have a ball (informal) to enjoy yourself a lot have something / a lot on the ball (AmE, informal) to be capable of doing a job very well; to be intelligent (be) on the ball to be aware of and understand what is happening and able to react quickly: The new publicity manager is really on the ball. play ball (with sb) (informal) to be willing to work with other people in a helpful way, especially so that sb can get what they want verb 1 to form sth or be formed into the shape of a ball: [V] Her hands balled into fists. * [VN] My hands were balled into fists. 2 [VN] (AmE, !!!, slang) (of a man) to have sex with a woman