{
    "term": "ball",
    "partOfSpeech": "noun",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a1",
    "image": "data/images/sp/sports_team.png",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "a round object used for throwing, hitting or kicking in games and sports",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "a golf/tennis/bowling/soccer ball"
                },
                {
                    "text": "to **hit/throw/kick/catch a ball**"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He kicked the ball into the net."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Bounce the ball and try and hit it over the net."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The kids were playing with a bat and ball in the park."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The ball bounced off down the road."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Oh no! He's dropped the ball."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She chased the ball all over the pitch."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The ball flew over the bar into the sea of Middlesbrough fans."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The ball hit me on the head."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The ball hit the wall and rolled along the road."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The catcher missed the ball."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The fielders try to retrieve the ball quickly and return it to the bowler."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The kids love to kick a ball against my wall."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He's an excellent ball handler."
                },
                {
                    "text": "His ball control was excellent."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Sports: ball and racket sports", "Games and toys"],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["bowling", "cricket", "golf"],
                "verb + ball": ["play with", "head", "hit"],
                "ball + verb": ["go", "travel", "float"],
                "ball + noun": ["game", "control", "handling"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "a round object or a thing that has been formed into a round shape",
            "sensetop": "ball (of something)",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The sun was a huge ball of fire low on the horizon."
                },
                {
                    "text": "a ball of yarn/string"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The little girl curled into a ball in her mother's arms."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Some animals roll themselves into a ball for protection."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He screwed the letter up into a tight ball."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["tight", "fiery", "crystal"],
                "verb + ball": [
                    "curl (up) into",
                    "roll (up) into",
                    "form something into"
                ],
                "phrases": ["a ball and chain"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "a kick, hit or throw of the ball in some sports",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "He sent over a high ball."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He pounced on a loose ball and scored."
                },
                {
                    "text": "That's a great ball from Kane."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["loose", "high", "low"],
                "verb + ball": ["play", "send", "pick up"],
                "preposition": ["ball from"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "a throw by the pitcher that is outside the strike zone (= the area between the batter's upper arms and knees)",
            "examples": [],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["loose", "high", "low"],
                "verb + ball": ["play", "send", "pick up"],
                "preposition": ["ball from"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 5,
            "definition": "the part below the big toe or the thumb",
            "sensetop": "ball of the foot/hand",
            "cefr": "c2",
            "examples": [],
            "topics": ["Body"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 6,
            "definition": "a testicle",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 7,
            "definition": "a large formal party with dancing",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She met him at the ball."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We're organizing a charity ball."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We're going to a masked ball."
                },
                {
                    "text": "They're holding a charity ball at the end of the month."
                },
                {
                    "text": "They've hired a 10-piece band for the summer ball."
                },
                {
                    "text": "You shall go to the ball, Cinderella!"
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["charity", "college", "hunt"],
                "verb + ball": ["have", "hold", "organize"],
                "ball + noun": ["dress", "gown"],
                "preposition": ["at a/​the ball"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "a problem that prevents you from doing what you would like to do",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The responsibility was a ball and chain around my ankle."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "it is your/somebody’s responsibility to take action next",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "They've offered me the job, so the ball's in my court now."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "a person who is full of energy and enthusiasm",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to take responsibility for getting something done",
            "labels": "(US English, informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "My co-worker was sick, so I had to carry the ball."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to make a mistake and cause something that you are responsible for to fail",
            "labels": "(North American English, informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Let’s not drop the ball on this."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to make something start happening; to make sure that something continues to happen",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to enjoy yourself a lot",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to be capable of doing a job very well; to be intelligent",
            "labels": "(US English, informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to continue to give your attention to what is most important",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to be aware of and understand what is happening and be able to react quickly",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The new publicity manager is really on the ball."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Personal qualities"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to develop an idea or plan that already exists",
            "labels": "(especially North American English)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "It's up to the private sector to take the ball and run with it."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The mainstream media will pick up the ball and run with it."
                },
                {
                    "text": "a challenge to other universities to pick up the ball and run with it"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "to play with a ball",
            "labels": "(North American English)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Chris was in the park playing ball with the kids."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "to be willing to work with other people in a helpful way, especially so that somebody can get what they want",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "We contacted the airline about a refund but they wouldn’t play ball."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "the whole thing; everything",
            "labels": "(North American English, informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I panicked, I cried—the whole ball of wax."
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/bɔːl/",
                "audio": "ba/ball/ball__gb_3.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/bɔːl/",
                "audio": "ba/ball/ball__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "noun senses 1 to 6 Middle English: from Old Norse bǫllr, of Germanic origin. noun sense 7 early 17th cent.: from French bal ‘a dance’, from late Latin ballare ‘to dance’; related to Greek ballizein ‘to dance’ (also ballein ‘to throw’)."
}