jump ball
noun
: a method of putting a basketball into play by tossing it into the air between two opponents who jump up and attempt to tap the ball to a teammate
also
: a ball put into play in this manner
Examples of jump ball in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The second steal — deflecting a bounce pass with 68 seconds left in the third quarter, diving to the ground to force a jump ball and then creating a viral photo of herself clutching the ball while lying on the court and flashing a 1,000-kilowatt smile — was her school-record 347th swipe.
—
Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
But after Victor Wembanyama easily won the ensuing jump ball against his fellow Frenchman, the 7-foot-4 center missed a hurried 3-point shot and Kon Knueppel grabbed the rebound.
—Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Jan. 2026
Like Coleman, Boston’s size (6-4, 210) and physicality enable him to win more than his fair share of jump balls, but the Huskie wideout is also a polished route-runner, especially on slants and comebacks.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Henry ran a corner route, and later caught a jump ball Maye flipped while under pressure to convert on third down.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 3 Dec. 2025
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Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
But after Victor Wembanyama easily won the ensuing jump ball against his fellow Frenchman, the 7-foot-4 center missed a hurried 3-point shot and Kon Knueppel grabbed the rebound.
—Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Jan. 2026
Like Coleman, Boston’s size (6-4, 210) and physicality enable him to win more than his fair share of jump balls, but the Huskie wideout is also a polished route-runner, especially on slants and comebacks.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Henry ran a corner route, and later caught a jump ball Maye flipped while under pressure to convert on third down.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jump ball
Cite this Entry
“Jump ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jump%20ball. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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