ground ball

noun

: a batted baseball that bounds or rolls along the ground

Examples of ground ball in a Sentence

He hit a ground ball to the shortstop.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During a Cincinnati game last month, Reds infielder Edwin Arroyo collided with Miller while attempting to field a ground ball in the seventh inning. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Mauricio Dubon’s ground ball up the middle was deflected by a diving Betts right to Edman at second base to start an inning-ending double play. — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2026 Miles hit José Caballero with a pitch to load the bases before retiring Trent Grisham on a ground ball to first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026 Perhaps that’s why Perez’s place in Royals history can’t be explained solely by the home runs, Gold Gloves, All-Star appearances or even that ground ball down the third-base line in 2014. — Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ground ball

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ground ball was in 1857

Rhymes for ground ball

See All Rhymes for ground ball

Browse Nearby Words

ground bait
ground ball
ground bass
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ground ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ground%20ball. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

ground ball

noun
: a batted baseball that rolls or bounces along the ground

More from Merriam-Webster on ground ball

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ground ball

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All