long ball

noun

: home run

Examples of long ball in a Sentence

a pitcher who has given up a lot of long balls
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.
The Rays led the majors with 134 bunts during the regular season, had the fewest strikeouts and were 22nd in homers, playing their brand of small-ball mixed in with some long ball provided mostly by Junior Caminero, Yandy Díaz and Jonathan Aranda. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 Game 3 was their most sound, but in ironic fashion, the Rays used the long ball to take home a 4-3 victory and advance to the American League Championship Series. — Ryan Morik Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 The Dodgers scored all 10 runs in the first three games via the long ball, which isn’t necessarily sustainable without traffic on the bases. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 Rapids defender Rob Holding hit a long ball to Aaronson, who controlled the ball in traffic and burst through on goal. — Spencer Baldwin, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for long ball

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of long ball was in 1938

Rhymes for long ball

See All Rhymes for long ball

Browse Nearby Words

long appoggiatura
long ball
long ballot
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Long ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/long%20ball. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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