bowing

American  

[boh-ing] / ˈboʊ ɪŋ /

noun

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.

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bowing British  

/ ˈbəʊɪŋ /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• unbowing adjective

Etymology

Origin of bowing

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

Example Sentences

Some now are pressing pause, bowing out or trying to change things up creatively.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

The footage ends with a wide shot of mourners bowing their heads in front of a group of at least 18 coffins draped in the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

As the national anthem played following their victories, Smith and Carlos expressed their anger about racial injustice in America by bowing their heads and raising their fists.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

But in some respects, OpenAI is simply bowing to the inevitable demands of the marketplace with its apparent U-turn.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 19, 2026

Under the archway he was met by a tall youth who greeted him very courteously, bowing his head.

From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Related Words

• submission
• yielding