three-point line

noun

: a line on a basketball court forming an arc at a set distance (such as 22 feet) from the basket beyond which a field goal counts for three points

Examples of three-point line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Luke Isaak, San Ramon Valley, 6-3, junior A sniper from the three-point line, Isaak was the leading scorer for the Wolves at 16.5 points per game. Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2024 The three-point line came into effect during Tracy Murray’s junior season in 1987-88. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2024 The 20-year-old was the No. 19 pick in the draft by the Golden State Warriors out of Santa Clara and earned a berth on the 11-man rookie team by shooting 38.8% from behind the three-point line through his first 37 games. Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2024 The key to beating the Valkyries will be limiting them from beyond the three-point line. James Weber, The Enquirer, 19 Jan. 2024 The Liberty defender guarding the Dublin junior had his heels behind the three-point line, daring him to drive to shoot. Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024 According to the official release, Curry was set to shoot NBA balls from the NBA three-point line, while Ionescu was supposed to use the WNBA equivalents – the line is a little closer and the ball is slightly smaller. Ben Morse, CNN, 17 Feb. 2024 Curry, who has won the NBA 3-Point Contest championship twice, will shoot with NBA regulation basketballs from the league's standard three-point line and Ionescu will shoot from the WNBA 3-point line with WNBA basketballs. Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 According to the official release, Curry was to shoot NBA balls from the NBA three-point line, while Ionescu was supposed to use the WNBA equivalents – the line is a little closer and the ball is slightly smaller. Ben Church, CNN, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'three-point line.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of three-point line was in 1977

Dictionary Entries Near three-point line

Cite this Entry

“Three-point line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/three-point%20line. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

three-point line

noun
: a line on a basketball court forming an arc at a set distance (as 22 feet) from the basket beyond which a field goal counts for three points
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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