ballpoint pen

American  

[bawl-point pen] / ˈbɔlˌpɔɪnt ˈpɛn /

noun

ballpoint pens plural

1. a pen in which the point is a fine ball bearing that rotates against a supply of semisolid ink in a cartridge, thus rolling the ink onto paper.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• ballpoint pens
  plural

Etymology

Origin of ballpoint pen

First recorded in 1945–50; ball ¹ + point

Example Sentences

Chow, a lawyer who is representing herself, smiled at supporters who waved enthusiastically from the public gallery as the hearing began, while Lee sat quietly in the dock taking notes with a ballpoint pen.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

He took a year out to apply to study law, during which he worked as a dustman, on a kibbutz and as a ballpoint pen salesman in South Africa.

From BBC • Oct. 17, 2025

He called her every day and kept a diary, sketching rap lyrics and poems in blue ballpoint pen.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 15, 2025

Even without the ballpoint pen, Schmetzer coolly concluded: “I need guys that are ready to play.”

From Seattle Times • May 10, 2024

My hand went to my pocket, where I kept my lethal ballpoint pen, Riptide.

From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan