Badminton
In short
A racquet sport played by hitting a shuttlecock over a net using specialised racquets. It is most commonly played as singles or doubles matches on an indoor court.
In plain words
Players use lightweight racquets to strike a feathered or plastic shuttlecock. The goal is to land the shuttlecock on the opponent's side of the net. You score points when the shuttlecock hits the floor or an opponent makes a mistake.
A simple example
In a singles match, one player faces another across the net. They take turns hitting the shuttlecock back and forth until someone fails to return it correctly.
Why it matters
It is a high-speed sport that requires excellent reflexes, agility, and stamina. It is played globally both as a competitive Olympic sport and a popular social pastime.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse it with tennis, which uses a ball that bounces on the ground.