bowling

American  

[boh-ling] / ˈboʊ lɪŋ /

noun

1. any of several games in which players standing at one end of an alley or green roll balls at standing objects or toward a mark at the other end, especially a game in which a heavy ball is rolled from one end of a wooden alley at wooden pins set up at the opposite end.

2. the game of bowls; lawn bowling.

3. an act or instance of playing or participating in any such game.

   Bowling is a pleasant way to exercise.

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bowling British  

/ ˈbəʊlɪŋ /

noun

1. any of various games in which a heavy ball is rolled down a special alley, usually made of wood, at a group of wooden pins, esp the games of tenpin bowling (tenpins) and skittles (ninepins)

2. the game of bowls

3. cricket the act of delivering the ball to the batsman

4. (modifier) of or relating to bowls or bowling

   a bowling team

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Etymology

Origin of bowling

First recorded in 1525–35; bowl ² + -ing ¹

Explanation

If you love bowling you're a fan of rolling a ball down a long lane and hoping it will knock down the pins at the end. The ball you roll is called a bowling ball. Bowling classically involves very heavy balls that are rolled down the polished wood of a lane, with open gutters at each side, toward the ten pins arranged at the end. Other versions of bowling have smaller balls, differently shaped pins, and different numbers of pins — but the goal is always to knock as many of them over as possible. The game was originally known as "playing at bowls."

Example Sentences

He gave it a name—the SuperPretzel—and he wouldn’t end his workday until he had made at least one sale, even if it meant stopping by a bowling alley or convenience store on the way home.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026

Part-time spinner Jacob Bethell bowled before Archer, whose belated introduction was explained by a need to rest after bowling an eight-over spell on the first evening.

From BBC • Jun. 18, 2026

It’s good and healthy to forget about the world’s problems for a little while, to give our poor amygdalas a rest with a concert, a bowling league, some really good jujitsu.

From Slate • Jun. 16, 2026

Wyatt-Hodge did drop two other tough chances later on but left-armer Kemp, only recently returning to bowling after a series of back issues, took three in four balls to improve a day even further.

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026

“Yeah, you think you’re a human bowling ball, or what?”

From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt