inning

noun

in·​ning ˈi-niŋ 

1

a

: a division of a baseball game consisting of a turn at bat for each team

also : a baseball team's turn at bat ending with the third out

b

innings ˈi-niŋz  plural in form but singular or plural in construction : a division of a cricket match

c

: a player's turn (as in horseshoes, pool, or croquet)

2

: a chance or opportunity for action or accomplishment

—usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction

that momentous innings which was to project him into world politics

—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

Examples of inning in a Sentence

She hit a double in the fourth inning.

Recent Examples on the Web

Sánchez had thrown just 62 pitches through five innings. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025

His senior year was even more dominant: 105 strikeouts in just over 53 innings, only seven walks, and a 0.39 ERA. —Devon Henderson, Oc Register, 13 July 2025

Lukes is a ‘winning ball player’ In the fifth inning of Friday’s game, Lukes came up in a big spot after striking out against A’s starter Luis Severino to lead off the frame. —Sacbee.com, 13 July 2025

The Royals head into the All-Star break on a positive note thanks to a stellar pitching performance from rookie Noah Cameron and some ninth inning heroics. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

in entry 2 + -ing entry 1

First Known Use

1735, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing inning

• the seventh-inning stretch

Rhymes for inning

• binning
• dinning
• ginning
• grinning
• pinning
• sinning
• skinning
• spinning
• thinning
• tinning
• twinning
• winning

Kids Definition

inning

noun

in·​ning ˈin-iŋ 

: a division of a baseball game consisting of a turn at bat for each team

also : a baseball team's turn at bat