candlepin

American  

[kan-dl-pin] / ˈkæn dlˌpɪn /

noun

1. a bowling pin that is almost cylindrical and can be set up on either end, used in a game resembling tenpins.

2. (used with a singular verb) candlepins, the game played with such pins.

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candlepin British  

/ ˈkændəlˌpɪn /

noun

1. a bowling pin, as used in skittles, tenpin bowling, candlepins, etc

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Etymology

Origin of candlepin

First recorded in 1900–05; candle + pin

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

candlepin

Anyone beyond the land of candlepin bowling and cringing at red clam chowder thought they had a better shot at finishing at the bottom of the standings than reaching the Super Bowl.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 26, 2026

The bowling alley is home to traditional tenpin bowling as well as candlepin, a variant of bowling found in New England.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 26, 2023

McCracken’s long-awaited new novel offers a rich family saga, a history of candlepin bowling and a burlesque chronicle of American oddballs.

From New York Times ● Feb. 21, 2019

In tenpin, bowlers throw one frame at a time, two balls per frame; in candlepin, two frames, usually called boxes, three balls a box.

From Slate ● Feb. 5, 2019

Bertha Truitt arrives in Salford, Mass., early in the 20th century with a bowling ball, a candlepin and 15 pounds of gold.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 28, 2019