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

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

Raducanu has had a low-key start to the year, bowing out in the quarter-finals of a warm-up tournament in a surprise straight-sets loss to 204th-ranked Taylah Preston.

From Barron's • Jan. 21, 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

“Your Exalted Majesty,” the commander said, bowing his head.

From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin

Related Words

• submission
• yielding