bowling

[ boh-ling ]

/ ˈboʊ lɪŋ /

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noun

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.Compare boccie, candlepins (def. 2), duckpins (def. 2), lawn bowling, ninepins (def. 1), tenpins (def. 1).

the game of bowls; lawn bowling.

an act or instance of playing or participating in any such game: Bowling is a pleasant way to exercise.

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Origin of bowling

First recorded in 1525–35; bowl² + -ing¹

Words nearby bowling

bowler, Bowles, bowlful, bowl game, bowline, bowling, bowling alley, bowling bag, bowling ball, bowling crease, bowling green

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bowling in a sentence

When it vanishes again, just in time for water-bottle bowling, my 11-year-old substitutes a lacrosse ball — and rolls a spare.
Kids are shooting hoops with rolled up socks, but pandemic physical education is not canceled|Kelly Field|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
They belong to civic organizations such as churches, Elks clubs and bowling leagues.
Researchers identify social factors inoculating some communities against coronavirus|Christopher Ingraham|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
To pass the time, Grisham and his friends had bowling tournaments in a two-lane alley and played a lot of poker, he said.
This man mistakenly left his wallet in Antarctica. Some 53 years later, he got it back.|Cathy Free|February 9, 2021|Washington Post
In spite of the challenges, new bowling alleys have opened during the pandemic, and with the vaccine already being administered, a glimmer of hope is on the horizon.
America’s Independent Bowling Alleys Might Not Make It Through the Pandemic|Emma Orlow|January 15, 2021|Eater

The league offers kickball, volleyball, dodgeball, bowling, and more.
Nashville: Making the Move to Music City|LGBTQ-Editor|December 13, 2020|No Straight News
Brabner talked about the “MTV people” coming to Cleveland to get pictures of Pekar emptying the garbage and going bowling.
The Rustbelt Roars Back From the Dead|Joel Kotkin, Richey Piiparinen|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some twits have gone on Twitter to suggest Spencer was being reckless when he went out bowling.
From Ebola Country to NYC’s Subways|Michael Daly|October 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The 18-inch air ducts that feed the pipe rooms are each over 50 feet in length, large enough to fit a bowling ball.
How to Save Silent Movies: Inside New Jersey’s Cinema Paradiso|Rich Goldstein|October 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the eyes of the NRA, Rambo is as grave a threat to gun rights as The Fonz—or the director of Bowling for Columbine.
Rambo Hates Guns: How Sylvester Stallone Became the Most Anti-Gun Celeb in Hollywood|Asawin Suebsaeng|August 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Paul employed his wife, a deacon in their Bowling Green presbyterian church, for damage control.
Is Rand Paul Christian Enough for the GOP?|Olivia Nuzzi|August 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A cricket-match was in progress, but the bowling and batting were extremely wild, thanks to The Warren strong beer.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Even then the Prime Minister was with difficulty prevented from bowling during forbidden hours.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 107, November 3, 1894|Various
He made some remark about the beauty of the night, and a minute later he was bowling back in a hansom to Merehaven House.
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White
The Wellington came bowling along under close-reefed topsails.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
I snatched up a war-club, dropped by a slain savage, and hurled it into the thick of them, bowling over two.
A Virginia Scout|Hugh Pendexter

British Dictionary definitions for bowling

bowling

/ (ˈbəʊlɪŋ) /

noun

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)

the game of bowls

cricket the act of delivering the ball to the batsman

(modifier) of or relating to bowls or bowlinga bowling team

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

bowling

Origin of bowling

Words nearby bowling

Words related to bowling

How to use bowling in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bowling