bowling

noun

bowl·​ing ˈbō-liŋ How to pronounce bowling (audio)
Synonyms of bowlingnext
: any of several games in which balls are rolled (as on a green or down an alley) at an object or group of objects

Examples of bowling in a Sentence

She watches bowling on TV.
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.
One described the motorcycle as a bowling ball taking out a bunch of pins. — Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 29 June 2026 Many of the forecast heat index values look like bowling scores for beginners. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 July 2026 Suddenly, the bowling alley club seems like a really good idea. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 July 2026 The Sri Lanka bowlers kept up pressure throughout the day, making good use of short-pitch bowling to limit the scoring. — ABC News, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bowling

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bowling was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing bowling

Rhymes for bowling

See All Rhymes for bowling

Browse Nearby Words

bowline on a bight
bowling
bowling alley
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bowling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bowling. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bowling

noun
bowl·​ing ˈbō-liŋ How to pronounce bowling (audio)
1
: a game played by rolling balls so as to knock down pins set up at the far end of an alley
2
: lawn bowling

More from Merriam-Webster on bowling

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bowling

Nglish: Translation of bowling for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bowling

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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