A ball is a round or spherical object that is used most often in sports and games. Balls are usually hollow and spherical but can be other shapes, such as ovoid (only in a few special cases) or solid (as in billiards). In most games using balls, the play of the game follows the state of the ball as it is hit, kicked, or thrown by players.

Phrases

• The purpose of playing with a ball or ball substitute such as the shuttlecock is that the focus of the game is the ball and not the opposing players. The phrase play the ball not the man comes to mind.

• behind the eight ball, at a disadvantage or in a baffling situation

• ball and chain, a. something that severely restricts one's activity usually oppressively (sometimes used to refer to marriage). b. slang: wife

• ball hawk, one skillful in taking the ball away from opponents (as in basketball or football)

• on the ball, alert, active, or attentive; on top of things