Definition of "blackball" [black•ball]

• A negative vote, especially one that blocks the admission of an applicant to an organization. (noun)
• A small black ball used as a negative ballot. (noun)
• To vote against, especially to veto the admission of. (verb-transitive)
• To shut out from social or commercial participation; ostracize or boycott. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The lucrative 1946 tour was especially welcomed by the chronically underpaid "blackball" players."
• ""Additionally, the defendants acted to 'blackball' and banish plaintiff and anyone associated with plaintiff permanently from ExxonMobil facilities and premises without limitation.""
• "But in fact, what he really should be concerned about is not "blackball," but rather "blackmail.""