softball
UK: ˈsɒftbɔːl | US: ˈsɔːftbɔːl
n. a game similar to baseball but played with a larger, softer ball
n. the ball used in this game
The term "softball" emerged in the early 20th century (1926) as a contrast to baseball, emphasizing the use of a softer, larger ball. The morpheme "soft" highlights the ball's reduced hardness for safer play, while "ball" retains its core meaning of a spherical sports object. The word's formation follows a straightforward compound pattern in English, combining two existing words to describe a new variant of an established sport.
She joined a local softball league to stay active.
The pitcher threw the softball underhand toward home plate.
Our school team won the regional softball championship.
The rules of softball differ slightly from those of baseball.
He caught the softball with one hand during practice.