pinball machine

noun

: an amusement device in which a ball propelled by a plunger scores points as it rolls down a slanting surface among pins and targets

called also pinball game

Examples of pinball machine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Spaces for gathering are integrated among the garage’s automotive amenities: a 1950s-style diner sits in the corner of what Wilt used as a game room, with its pinball machines, a pool table and a slick, slender dragster as centerpiece. Spencer Elliott, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024 The set recreated everything from the show, including the sports pennants on the wall, the red leather booths, a pinball machine and even a vintage Hi-Fidelity jukebox. Colson Thayer, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2024 Your kid gets to design and reconfigure their very own arcade-style pinball machine—using actual edible gumballs as the pinball! Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 27 Sep. 2024 In the second half of the carousel, Onyx can be seen enjoying her snow cone, playing with face paint and hanging out with her dad by a pinball machine. Emma Aerin Becker, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pinball machine 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pinball machine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pinball machine was in 1936

Dictionary Entries Near pinball machine

Cite this Entry

“Pinball machine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinball%20machine. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

pinball machine

noun
pin·​ball machine
ˈpin-ˌbȯl-
: a game in which a ball shot by a plunger scores points as it rolls around a slanting surface among pins and targets

More from Merriam-Webster on pinball machine

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