nine-ball

noun

A form of pool in which players must hit with the cue ball the object ball with the lowest numerical value, but may legally pot any ball apart from the white; whichever player pots the nine ball wins the game.

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Meanings

nounnine-ball (uncountable)
  1. uncountableA form of pool in which players must hit with the cue ball the object ball with the lowest numerical value, but may legally pot any ball apart from the white; whichever player pots the nine ball wins the game.

Origin

Nine colored balls are used, in addition to the cue ball.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

nine-ball. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nine-ball

MLA

“nine-ball.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nine-ball. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “nine-ball,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nine-ball.

Source: nine-ball on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.