ping-pong ball
Definition
Noun: A small, lightweight, spherical object, typically made of celluloid or a similar plastic, specifically designed for use in the sport of table tennis (ping-pong). It is characterized by its hollow construction, which contributes to its bounce and flight characteristics.
Usage
The term "ping-pong ball" refers exclusively to the ball used in the sport. It is a count noun.
Examples: * We need a new ping-pong ball; this one has a crack in it. * The official weight of a ping-pong ball is 2.7 grams. * He served the ping-pong ball with a powerful spin.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used metaphorically to describe something that is being batted back and forth between parties, similar to the ball in a game.
- The proposal became a political ping-pong ball, passed between committees without a decision.
Variants and Related Words
- Table tennis ball: A more formal synonym, often used in official contexts and rules.
- Ping-pong: (Noun) The name of the sport itself. (Verb, informal) To move or shift something rapidly back and forth.
Synonyms
- Table tennis ball
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Like a ping-pong ball: Used to describe someone or something that is moving or being sent rapidly and repeatedly between different places or states.
- During the merger, employees felt like ping-pong balls, constantly getting new information from different departments.
Noun
-
light hollow ball used in playing table tennis
