pelota
noun
pe·lo·ta pə-ˈlō-tə 
1
: a court game related to jai alai
2
: the ball used in jai alai
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Dubbed the world’s fastest ball sport, jai alai involves players hurling and catching a pelota with a cesta on a three-walled court. 
Arian Campo-flores, WSJ, 30 Mar. 2022 Athletes competed in a variety of sports and other competitions, including Basque pelota, croquet and tug of war, but there were no opening or closing ceremonies. Kori Rumore, chicagotribune.com, 3 Aug. 2021 The games includes the centuries-old pelota mixteca (Mixtec-style ball) and variant called pelota de esponja (sponge ball), both played with decorated mitts that combine indigenous design with contemporary logos. Carolina A. Miranda, latimes.com, 12 July 2018 The games includes the centuries-old pelota mixteca (Mixtec-style ball) and variant called pelota de esponja (sponge ball), both played with decorated mitts that combine indigenous design with contemporary logos. Carolina A. Miranda, latimes.com, 12 July 2018 The games includes the centuries-old pelota mixteca (Mixtec-style ball) and variant called pelota de esponja (sponge ball), both played with decorated mitts that combine indigenous design with contemporary logos. Carolina A. Miranda, latimes.com, 12 July 2018 The games includes the centuries-old pelota mixteca (Mixtec-style ball) and variant called pelota de esponja (sponge ball), both played with decorated mitts that combine indigenous design with contemporary logos. Carolina A. Miranda, latimes.com, 12 July 2018 During the past few months, the athletes have been learning to maneuver long, curved baskets (cestas) strapped to their hands, and hurl the ball (pelota) against the court walls at speeds up to 170 mph. Michelle Kaufman, miamiherald, 29 June 2018 The games includes the centuries-old pelota mixteca (Mixtec-style ball) and variant called pelota de esponja (sponge ball), both played with decorated mitts that combine indigenous design with contemporary logos. Carolina A. Miranda, latimes.com, 12 July 2018 See More
Arian Campo-flores, WSJ, 30 Mar. 2022 Athletes competed in a variety of sports and other competitions, including Basque pelota, croquet and tug of war, but there were no opening or closing ceremonies. Kori Rumore, chicagotribune.com, 3 Aug. 2021 The games includes the centuries-old pelota mixteca (Mixtec-style ball) and variant called pelota de esponja (sponge ball), both played with decorated mitts that combine indigenous design with contemporary logos. Carolina A. Miranda, latimes.com, 12 July 2018 The games includes the centuries-old pelota mixteca (Mixtec-style ball) and variant called pelota de esponja (sponge ball), both played with decorated mitts that combine indigenous design with contemporary logos. Carolina A. Miranda, latimes.com, 12 July 2018 The games includes the centuries-old pelota mixteca (Mixtec-style ball) and variant called pelota de esponja (sponge ball), both played with decorated mitts that combine indigenous design with contemporary logos. Carolina A. Miranda, latimes.com, 12 July 2018 The games includes the centuries-old pelota mixteca (Mixtec-style ball) and variant called pelota de esponja (sponge ball), both played with decorated mitts that combine indigenous design with contemporary logos. Carolina A. Miranda, latimes.com, 12 July 2018 During the past few months, the athletes have been learning to maneuver long, curved baskets (cestas) strapped to their hands, and hurl the ball (pelota) against the court walls at speeds up to 170 mph. Michelle Kaufman, miamiherald, 29 June 2018 The games includes the centuries-old pelota mixteca (Mixtec-style ball) and variant called pelota de esponja (sponge ball), both played with decorated mitts that combine indigenous design with contemporary logos. Carolina A. Miranda, latimes.com, 12 July 2018 See More Word History
Etymology
Spanish, from Old French pelote little ball — more at pellet
First Known Use
1807, in the meaning defined at sense 1