Shuttle vs. Badminton — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 25, 2023
A shuttle, often called a shuttlecock, is the feathered projectile used in the game of badminton, while badminton is a racquet sport played using shuttles.
Difference Between Shuttle and Badminton
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
When one thinks of the sport badminton, an image of players with racquets hitting a feathered object often comes to mind. This feathered object is the shuttle, sometimes referred to as a shuttlecock or birdie. The primary purpose of the shuttle in badminton is to serve as the projectile that players aim to strike across the net.
The shuttle is an integral component of badminton, and its design is vital for the game's dynamics. It's made of feathers (often from a duck or goose) arranged in a conical shape, with a base made of rubber or cork. Badminton, as a sport, is reliant on the unique aerodynamic properties of the shuttle, which allows it to be hit with precision and speed.
Badminton courts see the shuttle flying back and forth, with players trying to land it in the opposing half. The court, net, racquets, and shuttle together constitute the essential equipment for badminton. The shuttle's unique design ensures it flies in a more predictable path compared to other ball-based sports.
Both the shuttle and badminton have historical roots in ancient civilizations, but the modern game of badminton originated in British India. The shuttle has undergone various design changes over the years, but its basic structure remains consistent. Badminton, as a sport, has gained international popularity, with tournaments held globally and even being a part of the Olympic Games.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Feathered projectile used in the game.
A racquet sport using shuttles.
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Material
Made of feathers with a rubber or cork base.
Includes racquets, net, court markings, and shuttle.
Role
Object to be hit during play.
The sport itself.
Historical Origin
Has ancient roots but modern design from British India.
Modern game originated in British India.
Associated with
Badminton, obviously, but also some children's games.
Tournaments, recreational play, and Olympic Games.
Compare with Definitions
Shuttle
A feathered projectile used in badminton.
The shuttle soared over the net during the match.
Badminton
A racquet sport played with a shuttle.
Badminton requires agility and fast reflexes.
Shuttle
An object designed for a stable flight in the air.
The shuttle's aerodynamic design makes it unique.
Badminton
Played in singles or doubles format.
They won the badminton doubles championship.
Shuttle
Sometimes referred to as a shuttlecock or birdie.
She bought a new pack of shuttles for practice.
Badminton
An Olympic sport with global popularity.
She dreamt of representing her country in badminton at the Olympics.
Shuttle
Made of feathers with a rubber or cork base.
The shuttle's base hit the floor, signaling a point.
Badminton
Has various rules, including scoring systems.
In modern badminton, a match is best of three games to 21 points.
Shuttle
Regular travel back and forth over an established, often short route by a vehicle.
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. Although it may be played with larger teams, the most common forms of the game are "singles" (with one player per side) and "doubles" (with two players per side).
Shuttle
A vehicle used in such travel
Took the shuttle across town.
Badminton
A game with rackets in which a shuttlecock is hit back and forth across a net.
Shuttle
A route used by a vehicle in such travel
The Washington-New York air shuttle.
Badminton
A sport played by volleying a shuttlecock back and forth over a high narrow net by means of a light, long-handled racket.
Shuttle
A space shuttle.
Badminton
(uncountable) A racquet sport played indoors on a court by two opposing players (singles) or two opposing pairs of players (doubles), in which a shuttlecock is volleyed over a net and the competitions are presided by an umpire in British English and a referee in American English.
Shuttle
Travel between disputing parties by a diplomatic intermediary.
Badminton
(countable) A cooling summer drink made with claret, sugar, and soda water.
Shuttle
A device used in weaving to carry the weft thread back and forth between the warp threads.
Badminton
A game, similar to lawn tennis, played with shuttlecocks.
Shuttle
A device for holding the thread in tatting and netting and in a sewing machine.
Badminton
A preparation of claret, spiced and sweetened.
Shuttle
To go, move, or travel back and forth, especially by a shuttle
Business people who shuttle between European capitals.
Badminton
A game played on a court with light long-handled rackets used to volley a shuttlecock over a net
Shuttle
To cause to move back and forth frequently.
Badminton
Has specific court dimensions and markings.
The badminton court was freshly painted for the tournament.
Shuttle
To transport, especially by a shuttle
Shuttle a scientific payload to an orbiting space station.
Shuttle
(weaving) A tool used to carry the woof back and forth between the warp threads on a loom.
Shuttle
The sliding thread holder in a sewing machine, which carries the lower thread through a loop of the upper thread, to make a lock stitch.
Shuttle
A transport service (such as a bus or train) that goes back and forth between two or more places.
The shuttle bus runs to the airport on a half-hourly basis form the central station.
Shuttle
Such a transport vehicle; a shuttle bus; a space shuttle.
Shuttle
Any other item that moves repeatedly back and forth between two positions, possibly transporting something else with it between those points (such as, in chemistry, a molecular shuttle).
Shuttle
A shuttlecock.
Shuttle
A shutter, as for a channel for molten metal.
Shuttle
(intransitive) To go back and forth between two places.
Shuttle
(transitive) To transport by shuttle or by means of a shuttle service.
Guests can be shuttled to a from the hotel for no extra cost.
Shuttle
An instrument used in weaving for passing or shooting the thread of the woof from one side of the cloth to the other between the threads of the warp.
Like shuttles through the loom, so swiftly glideMy feathered hours.
Shuttle
The sliding thread holder in a sewing machine, which carries the lower thread through a loop of the upper thread, to make a lock stitch.
Shuttle
A shutter, as for a channel for molten metal.
Shuttle
To move backwards and forwards, like a shuttle.
I had to fly far and wide, shutting athwart the big Babel, wherever his calls and pauses had to be.
Shuttle
Badminton equipment consisting of a ball of cork or rubber with a crown of feathers
Shuttle
Public transport that consists of a bus or train or airplane that plies back and forth between two points
Shuttle
Bobbin that passes the weft thread between the warp threads
Shuttle
Travel back and forth between two points
Shuttle
Affected by humidity, impacting its flight.
The dampness made the shuttle play slower than usual.
Common Curiosities
How many feathers are typically in a shuttle?
A standard shuttle has 16 feathers.
How is a shuttle different from a ball?
A shuttle is feathered and has an aerodynamic design, giving it a different flight pattern than a ball.
How long does a typical badminton match last?
It varies, but singles games can last 30 minutes to an hour, and doubles might be longer.
How often do players change shuttles during a match?
It depends on the shuttle's wear and players' preferences. They can change after every game or when it's damaged.
Are synthetic shuttles used in professional badminton?
Yes, both feathered and synthetic shuttles are used, but feathered shuttles are more common in top-level competitions.
What's the maximum number of games in a badminton match?
A match consists of the best of three games.
What is a shuttle used for?
A shuttle is used as a projectile in the game of badminton.
Can you play badminton without a shuttle?
No, a shuttle is essential for playing badminton.
Is badminton played only indoors?
Competitive badminton is usually indoors, but it can be played recreationally outdoors.
Is badminton an Olympic sport?
Yes, badminton has been an Olympic sport since 1992.
Is badminton popular worldwide?
Yes, it's especially popular in Asia, but has a global following.
What materials are badminton racquets made of?
They're primarily made of steel, aluminum, or carbon fiber.
Can the shuttle be hit with any side of the racquet in badminton?
Yes, both the forehand and backhand sides of the racquet can be used.
Can you touch the net with the racquet in badminton?
No, touching the net with either the racquet or body during play results in a fault.
Why is the shuttle's design important for badminton?
Its design affects its flight, speed, and stability, impacting gameplay.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
