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bowing

American  
[boh-ing] / ˈboʊ ɪŋ /

noun

bowings plural
  1. the act or art of playing a stringed instrument with a bow.

  2. the individual way of using the bow in playing a stringed instrument, including the way in which the musician approaches the music emotionally, the articulation of individual notes, and the manner in which the notes of a passage are grouped together.


bowing British  
/ ˈbəʊɪŋ /

noun

  1. the technique of using the bow in playing a violin, viola, cello, or related instrument

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Inflected Forms

Nouns

Etymology

Origin of bowing

First recorded in 1830–40; bow 2 + -ing 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Bowing to the volatile army, in October 1941 Emperor Hirohito appointed Tojo prime minister, in addition to the posts of army minister and home minister.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Bowing partially to critics who say the law is unconstitutional, Duda said he was also sending it to the Constitutional Tribunal to review the bill for conformity with the supreme law.

From Washington Times • May 30, 2023

Bowing his head and closing his eyes, he did so.

From New York Times • Jan. 5, 2023

Bowing his head, he began: “We ask that you uplift the Johnson family. Give them understanding. Make it easy, God.”

From Washington Post • Mar. 21, 2022

Bowing, Neel touched Headmaster’s feet and then his own forehead in a pranam of respect.

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins

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