Vocabulary: sport

19 entries

#8180

pool [family]

pool /puːl/ uncountable noun sport

American variant of billiards, played on a table with six pockets, using a cue ball and numbered object balls.

  • a cue game played on a table with pockets

    They played a game of pool at the bar.

billiards vs. pool

"Billiards" is the broader, older umbrella term for cue sports; "pool" is specifically the pocket-table American variant.

billiards
The general/formal name for cue sports. Can refer narrowly to carom billiards, played on a pocketless table with 3 balls, or loosely to any cue game including pool.
pool
The common American name for pocket billiards: a table with six pockets, a cue ball, and numbered object balls (as in 8-ball or 9-ball).
  • In everyday American English, "pool" is what most people mean by "shooting some balls" at a bar; "billiards" sounds more formal or refers to the pocketless carom game.
  • In British English, "billiards" more often specifically means the traditional 3-ball carom game.
#8179

billiards

billiards
billiards
billiards /ˈbɪljɚdz/ uncountable noun sport

Treated as singular ("billiards is fun") despite -s ending. "English billiards": three-ball variant. "Pool": common American variant.

  • a cue sport played on a table

    They played billiards at the club.

billiards vs. pool

"Billiards" is the broader, older umbrella term for cue sports; "pool" is specifically the pocket-table American variant.

billiards
The general/formal name for cue sports. Can refer narrowly to carom billiards, played on a pocketless table with 3 balls, or loosely to any cue game including pool.
pool
The common American name for pocket billiards: a table with six pockets, a cue ball, and numbered object balls (as in 8-ball or 9-ball).
  • In everyday American English, "pool" is what most people mean by "shooting some balls" at a bar; "billiards" sounds more formal or refers to the pocketless carom game.
  • In British English, "billiards" more often specifically means the traditional 3-ball carom game.
#7643

bowling [family]

bowling
bowling
bowling /ˈboʊlɪŋ/ uncountable noun sport

Ten-pin (US), candlepin (New England), duckpin variants. Lawn bowling: different sport. "Bowling for Columbine": Michael Moore film.

  • a game of rolling a ball at pins

    They went bowling on Saturday.

#7448

scuba diving

scuba diving
scuba diving
scuba diving /ˈskuːbə ˌdaɪvɪŋ/ uncountable noun sport

"Scuba" is an acronym for "self-contained underwater breathing apparatus".

  • the sport or activity of swimming underwater using a scuba set to breathe

    They went scuba diving to explore the sunken shipwreck.

snorkeling vs. scuba diving

Both let a person view underwater life, but snorkeling is a simple surface activity with a tube and mask, while scuba diving uses a tank of compressed air to let a diver stay fully submerged for extended periods.

snorkeling
Floating face-down at the surface, breathing through a snorkel tube while viewing the water below; requires minimal equipment and training.
scuba diving
Swimming fully underwater using a tank of compressed air (a scuba set), allowing much greater depth and dive time; requires certification training.
  • Snorkeling needs only a mask, snorkel, and fins.
  • Scuba diving requires a tank, regulator, and certified training due to the risks of pressure and air supply.
#7447

snorkel [family]

snorkeling
snorkeling
snorkeling /ˈsnɔːrkəlɪŋ/ uncountable noun sport

  • the activity of swimming at the surface with a snorkel and mask

    Snorkeling is a popular activity on the island.

snorkeling vs. scuba diving

Both let a person view underwater life, but snorkeling is a simple surface activity with a tube and mask, while scuba diving uses a tank of compressed air to let a diver stay fully submerged for extended periods.

snorkeling
Floating face-down at the surface, breathing through a snorkel tube while viewing the water below; requires minimal equipment and training.
scuba diving
Swimming fully underwater using a tank of compressed air (a scuba set), allowing much greater depth and dive time; requires certification training.
  • Snorkeling needs only a mask, snorkel, and fins.
  • Scuba diving requires a tank, regulator, and certified training due to the risks of pressure and air supply.
#7001

fence [family]

fencing
fencing
fencing /ˈfensɪŋ/ uncountable noun sport

Olympic sport since 1896. Three weapons: foil, épée, sabre. Different rules and target areas for each.

  • the sport of sword fighting

    He took up fencing in high school.

#5361

wrestle [family]

wrestle
wrestle
wrestle /ˈresəl/ verb sport
past: wrestled /ˈresəld/
pp: wrestled /ˈresəld/

Note silent "w".

  • to take part in a fight by grappling with an opponent and trying to throw or force them to the ground

    The two boys wrestled on the carpet.

wrestling /ˈreslɪŋ/ uncountable noun sport

"Pro wrestling" (e.g., WWE) is largely scripted entertainment, distinct from amateur/Olympic wrestling.

  • a sport in which two competitors grapple and try to throw each other to the ground

    He won a gold medal in wrestling.

#3637

volleyball

volleyball
volleyball
volleyball /ˈvɑːlibɔːl/ noun sport

Invented 1895 in Massachusetts by William G. Morgan as a less strenuous alternative to basketball. Two main variants: indoor (6v6) and beach (2v2).

  • a team sport played by hitting a ball over a net

    They play volleyball on the beach every weekend.

#3132

golf [family]

golf
golf
golf /ɡɑːlf/ uncountable noun sport

Originated in Scotland (15th century). Famous tournaments: Masters, US Open, British Open, PGA Championship. "Mini golf": putting course version.

  • a sport played by hitting a small ball into holes

    He plays golf every weekend.

#2535

baseball

baseball
baseball
baseball /ˈbeɪsbɔːl/ uncountable noun sport

"America's pastime". Major League Baseball (MLB): top US/Canada league. World Series: annual championship. Famous: Babe Ruth.

  • a bat-and-ball team sport

    They played baseball in the park.

#2399

kendo

kendo
kendo
kendo /ˈkendoʊ/ uncountable noun sport

From Japanese kendo: "way of the sword". Uses bamboo swords (shinai) and protective armor (bogu). Descended from samurai sword training.

  • a Japanese martial art of fencing with bamboo swords

    He started practicing kendo at age 10.

#2398

taekwondo

taekwondo
taekwondo
taekwondo /ˌtaɪkwɑːnˈdoʊ/ uncountable noun sport

From Korean 태권도 ("way of the foot and fist"). Olympic sport since 2000. Famous for high kicks. Two main federations: WT (Olympic) and ITF.

  • a Korean martial art focused on kicking

    He trained in taekwondo for ten years.

#2397

judo

judo
judo
judo /ˈdʒuːdoʊ/ uncountable noun sport

From Japanese judo: "gentle way". Founded 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Olympic sport since 1964. Emphasizes throws and pins.

  • a Japanese martial art and Olympic sport

    She earned a black belt in judo.

#2396

trampoline

trampoline
trampoline
trampoline /ˈtræmpəliːn/ countable noun sport

From Spanish "trampolín" (springboard). Olympic event since 2000. Backyard trampolines: common but cause many injuries.

  • a sheet of strong fabric stretched on a frame for bouncing

    The kids bounced on the trampoline.

#2395

javelin

javelin
javelin
javelin /ˈdʒævələn/ countable noun sport

Olympic track-and-field event. Men's: 800g, ~70-100m throws. Also: "Javelin missile", US anti-tank weapon, famous in Ukraine war.

  • a light spear thrown as a sport

    He threw the javelin 80 meters.

#1765

cricket

cricket
cricket
cricket /ˈkrɪkɪt/ uncountable noun sport

Sport especially popular in the UK, India, Pakistan, Australia, and the Caribbean.

  • a bat-and-ball sport played by two teams of eleven

    They watched cricket all afternoon.

#1233

rugby

rugby
rugby
rugby /ˈrʌɡbi/ uncountable noun sport

Named after Rugby School in England. Two codes: rugby union (15 players) and rugby league (13).

  • a team sport played with an oval ball that may be carried, kicked, and passed backward

    He played rugby at school.

#502

hockey

hockey
hockey
hockey /ˈhɑːki/ uncountable noun sport

  • a fast-moving team sport played on ice or a field, in which players use sticks to hit a puck or ball into the opponent's net

    He plays ice hockey.

#252

gymnastics [family]

gymnastics
gymnastics
gymnastics /dʒɪmˈnæstɪks/ uncountable noun sport

  • exercises developing or displaying physical agility and coordination

    She competed in gymnastics.