volleyball

volleyball — noun

1. a team sport in which players on opposite sides of a high net hit a ball back an

1.nounA2
Definition

a team sport in which players on opposite sides of a high net hit a ball back and forth, aiming to ground it on the other team's court

Example

Every Friday after school, Yuna and her friends play volleyball at the gymnasium.

collocation: play volleyball

The girls' volleyball team at Gabriel's school won their first match last season.

Common collocations
  • play volleyball
  • beach volleyball
  • volleyball team
  • volleyball match
  • volleyball court
  • indoor volleyball

Usage Note

Uncountable when referring to the sport — it does not take an article ("play volleyball", not "play the volleyball"). Countable only when referring to the ball itself.

Common Mistakes

I like to play the volleyball after school.
I like to play volleyball after school.
The sport does not take the definite article.
She practiced volleyballs every day.
She practiced volleyball every day.
The sport is uncountable and has no plural form.

2. the round air-filled ball that people hit over the net when playing the sport of

2.nounB1
Definition

the round air-filled ball that people hit over the net when playing the sport of volleyball

Example

Hoa asked the shop assistant to show her a proper volleyball for the competition.

Valentina pumped air into the volleyball until it felt just the right firmness.

collocation: pump air into the volleyball

Common collocations
  • hit the volleyball
  • serve the volleyball
  • throw the volleyball
  • pump up the volleyball
  • volleyball surface

Usage Note

Countable noun — requires a determiner such as "a", "the", or a possessive ("a volleyball", "the volleyball", "her volleyball"). Often used with verbs like pump, hit, throw, inspect.

Common Mistakes

He bought volleyball from the shop.
He bought a volleyball from the shop.
The ball is countable and needs an article or determiner.
I need new volleyball for practice.
I need a new volleyball for practice.
Missing article before the countable noun.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Etymology

EnglishEnglish

Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, a physical education instructor at the YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts. He created the sport as a less strenuous indoor alternative to basketball for older members. The name is a blend of 'volley' (referring to striking the ball before it touches the ground, a term borrowed from tennis) and 'ball'.