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

Fans hug and cheer as Freeman reacts after hitting a walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning to beat the New York Yankees 6-3 in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday at Dodger Stadium. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024

Shohei Ohtani leaves the field with a trainer after attempting to steal 2B in the 7th inning. —Jacob Lev, CNN, 27 Oct. 2024

Ohtani clutched his left forearm after being tagged by shortstop Anthony Volpe for the final out in the inning on a feetfirst slide. —Joe Reedy, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2024

Fox Sports reported that an average of 15.2 million viewers tuned in to see the Dodgers defeat the Yankees at home in the 10th inning. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 Oct. 2024

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

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