pétanque

American  

[pay-tahngk, pe-tahnk] / peɪˈtɑŋk, pɛˈtɑ̃k /

noun

1. a form of lawn bowling originating in France, usually played on rough ground using steel balls.

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pétanque British  

/ petɑ̃k /

noun

1. another name, esp in the South of France, for boules

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Etymology

Origin of pétanque

1950–55; < French < Provençal pé foot (< Latin ped-, stem of pēs ) + tanco post, stake (derivative of tancar to close, bar < Vulgar Latin *stanticāre; see stanch ¹); so called because the feet are to be planted firmly on the ground, as if staked, when the ball is released

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pétanque

One local resident told AFP news agency: "There is a mega rivalry between the beach pétanque players and those in the town but I didn't think it was at that level."

From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026

"In every neighbourhood, in every street, you'll see people playing pétanque," he added.

From Reuters ● Sep. 18, 2023

If you haven’t heard of pétanque — I hadn’t before writing this article — it’s a game that’s kind of like bocce ball.

From The Verge ● Jul. 30, 2022

Bryant Park: Find a place in earshot of the lunchtime Jazz performances, or pause the picnic to join a game of pétanque, or learn how to juggle.

From New York Times ● Jul. 11, 2016

Late afternoons, the lanky economist can invariably be found playing a few rounds of pétanque, the French bowling game, as the sun sets over the nearby dunes.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 2, 2015

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