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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• bowling alleys
  plural

Etymology

Origin of bowling alley

First recorded in 1545–55

Example Sentences

It has its own bowling alley and two swimming pools.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

Its last major fundraiser was the next year, an event dubbed “Bowling with the Brass,” at a bowling alley owned by a foundation board member.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

The pair spent the next few years designing and building a roughly 13,500-square-foot house with a gym, pool, putting green and bowling alley.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 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

Students at that black school had been protesting since February 5 a segregated bowling alley in town, with demonstrations growing in size and intensity over the next few days.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson