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.

---

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

---

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

Yes, the 1985 Steven Spielberg adventure, early in which Mikey, from his porch, opens the front gate for Chunk using a device that employs a bowling ball, bucket, balloon, chicken, football, and sprinkler.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

Behind the concertina wire encircling the bases, Germans could experience American bowling alleys and drive-in theaters.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

Tim Southee could be used again, while Troy Cooley is back on the payroll as elite national pace bowling lead.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

In the search for relevance before that tournament, her bowling performance was more important.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

It raises a lump in my throat the size of a bowling ball, and I start to wonder if I’m going to be able to mumble a whole bar mitzvah past it.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman