pétanque

American  

[pey-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; stanch ¹ ); so called because the feet are to be planted firmly on the ground, as if staked, when the ball is released

Example Sentences

"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

“The high points of these three days are in particular the pétanque competitions, the egg race and the onion soup.”

From The Guardian • Jul. 13, 2021

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