bowling alley
Americannoun
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a building or enclosed area containing a number of lanes or alleys for the game of bowling.
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any of these long, narrow wooden lanes or alleys.
noun
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a long narrow wooden lane down which the ball is rolled in tenpin bowling
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a similar lane or alley, usually with raised sides, for playing skittles (ninepins)
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a building having several lanes for tenpin bowling
Etymology
Origin of bowling alley
First recorded in 1545–55
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Another spot that would make for an enjoyable birthday celebration is Highland Park Bowl, the oldest functioning bowling alley in L.A.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026
In 2024, workers said, the company hosted a Christmas party that featured a cash bar at a local bowling alley.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026
"We're losing what was the Arches to become a bowling alley in the centre of Glasgow," says Lynne.
From BBC • Dec. 26, 2025
The incident, beside a bowling alley and near Mount Vernon High School’s football stadium, took less than half an hour.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 17, 2025
“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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
