What does "volleyball" mean?

1. (the sport) a game where two teams use their hands to hit a ball back and forth over a high net. 2. (the ball) the round, inflated ball used to play the game of volleyball.

How do you use "volleyball"?

Uncountable when referring to the sport in general. Countable noun.

volleyball

US //ˈvɑɫiˌbɔɫ// UK //vˈɒlɪbˌɔːl// vol·ley·ball

1 the sport (n.)
A2 Elementary Sport

a game where two teams use their hands to hit a ball back and forth over a high net.

a team sport played on a court where players use their hands or arms to strike a ball over a net, aiming to ground it on the opponent's side.

Example

We spent the whole afternoon playing volleyball on the beach with some friends.

Example

Professional volleyball requires exceptional vertical leap and precise coordination between the setter and the attackers to bypass the opposing block.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the sport in general.
2 the ball (n.)
A2 Elementary Sport

the round, inflated ball used to play the game of volleyball.

the specific spherical, inflated ball, typically made of leather or synthetic material, used in the sport of volleyball.

Example

Can you go to the garage and find the volleyball so we can practice?

Example

The coach inspected the volleyballs to ensure they were inflated to the regulation pressure before the tournament began.

Usage

Countable noun.

Origin

From volley + ball. In 1895, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, William G. Morgan created a new game called Mintonette, a name derived from the game of badminton. After an observer, Alfred Halstead, noticed the volleying nature of the game at its first exhibition match in 1896, played at the International YMCA Training School (now called Springfield College), the game quickly became known as volleyball (it was originally spelled as two words: "volley ball")