bocce

noun

boc·​ce ˈbä-chē How to pronounce bocce (audio)
variants or less commonly bocci or boccie
: a bowling game of Italian origin played on a long narrow court (as of sand, clay, grass, or carpet) with bocce balls (see bocce balls sense 2) which are rolled to stop as close as possible to a small target ball

called also bocce ball

Examples of bocce in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Other popular lawn games, like bocce, are easy to bring along and play in any location. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 June 2026 The bocce court, which had been in the works since 2017, was installed in 2021. — Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2026 The first level includes an outdoor kitchen, firepit lounge, and dining area; the second, a bocce court and swinging chair. — Rory Evans, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 July 2026 Previous phases added multipurpose turf fields, playgrounds, a challenge course, and a backyard games area with bocce and croquet courts, among other amenities. — Sofia Montoya-Deck, Baltimore Sun, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bocce

Word History

Etymology

Italian bocce, plural of boccia ball, from Vulgar Latin *bottia boss

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bocce was in 1828

Phrases Containing bocce

Rhymes for bocce

See All Rhymes for bocce

Browse Nearby Words

boccaro
bocce
bocce ball
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bocce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bocce. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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