bowling alley

American  

[boh-ling al-ee] / ˈboʊ lɪŋ ˌæl i /

noun

bowling alleys plural

1. a building or enclosed area containing a number of lanes or alleys for the game of bowling.

2. any of these long, narrow wooden lanes or alleys.

---

bowling alley British  

noun

1. 1. a long narrow wooden lane down which the ball is rolled in tenpin bowling

   2. a similar lane or alley, usually with raised sides, for playing skittles (ninepins)

2. a building having several lanes for tenpin bowling

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• bowling alleys
  plural

Etymology

Origin of bowling alley

First recorded in 1545–55

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

He marveled at their bowling alley and Dolby Atmos-equipped movie theater.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

Completed in 2021, the sprawling property is now believed to be worth around $35 million, offering an array of high-end amenities, including a bowling alley, private gym, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and a spa.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 4, 2026

To put an exact time stamp on it, I signed the lease of my first apartment in Little Armenia because the bowling alley from “The Big Lebowski” was only two blocks away.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2026

“I don’t think we’re going to have anything to match that outfit,” Selena said as we walked to a wall of cubbies full of shoes that reminded me of a bowling alley.

From "The First Rule of Punk" by Celia C. Pérez