ballgame
UK: ˈbɔːlɡeɪm | US: ˈbɔːlɡeɪm
n. a game played with a ball, especially baseball
n. (figurative) a situation or activity with specific rules or challenges
The word "ballgame" is a straightforward compound of "ball" (from Old Norse bǫllr or Old English beallu, meaning a rounded object) and "game" (from Old English gamen, meaning amusement or contest). It emerged in American English in the mid-19th century, primarily referring to baseball but later extended metaphorically to describe any structured competition or scenario. The logic mirrors other Germanic compound nouns, combining two concrete nouns to form a new concept.
The kids organized a casual ballgame in the park.
Baseball is often called "America’s favorite ballgame."
After the merger, the rules of the corporate ballgame changed entirely.
He’s been part of this political ballgame for decades.
Rain delayed the ballgame by three hours.