bowling

any of several games in which players standing at one end of an alley or green roll balls at standing objects or toward a mark at the other end, especially a game in which a heavy ball is rolled from one end of a wooden alley at wooden pins set up at the opposite end. Compare boccie, candlepin (def. 2), duckpin (def. 2), lawn bowling, ninepin (def. 2), tenpin (def. 2).

the game of bowls.

an act or instance of playing or participating in any such game: Bowling is a pleasant way to exercise.

a rather deep, round dish or basin, used chiefly for holding liquids, food, etc.

the contents of a bowl: a bowl of tomato soup.

a rounded, cuplike, hollow part: the bowl of a pipe.

a large drinking cup.

festive drinking; conviviality.

to give (a floor) a gentle inclination on all sides toward some area, as a stage or platform.

one of the balls, having little or no bias, used in playing ninepins or tenpins.

one of the biased or weighted balls used in lawn bowling.

a delivery of the ball in bowling or lawn bowling.

(formerly) a rotating cylindrical part in a machine, as one to reduce friction.

to play at bowling or bowls; participate in or have a game or games of bowling.

to roll a bowl or ball.

to move along smoothly and rapidly.

Cricket. to deliver the ball to be played by the batsman.

to roll or trundle, as a ball or hoop.

to attain by bowling: He bowls a good game. She usually bowls a 120 game, but today she bowled 180.

to knock or strike, as by the ball in bowling (usually followed by over or down).

to carry or convey, as in a wheeled vehicle.

Cricket. to eliminate (a batsman) by bowling (usually followed by out): He was bowled for a duck. He was bowled out for a duck.