bowl

noun

ˈbōl 

plural bowls

1

: a concave usually nearly hemispherical vessel : a rounded container that is usually larger than a cup

a soup bowl

a set of mixing bowls

specifically : a drinking vessel (as for wine)

2

: the contents of a bowl

ate a bowl of rice

3

: a bowl-shaped or concave part: such as

a

: the hollow of a spoon or tobacco pipe

b

: the receptacle of a toilet

cleaning toilet bowls

4

a

: a natural formation or geographical region shaped like a bowl

b

: a bowl-shaped structure

especially : an athletic stadium

5

American football : a postseason game between specially invited teams

college bowl games

bowled

ˈbōld 

adjective

bowlful

ˈbōl-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Synonyms of bowl

• stadium
• coliseum

Examples of bowl in a Sentence

a new bowl for the football team

Recent Examples on the Web

Cut to Lestat’s head in a toilet bowl in a motel bathroom with blood spewed all over the walls. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 8 June 2026

Meanwhile, Dove’s hair mask is a drugstore favorite for bond repair cheaper than your lunch bowl. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 8 June 2026

To make the lemon meringue, pour the aquafaba into the clean bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl. —Laura McLively, Mercury News, 8 June 2026

While the oven is heating, crack the eggs into a large bowl and add the milk, salt and pepper. —Kate Williams, AJC.com, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bolle, from Old English bolla; akin to Old High German bolla blister

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bowl

• bowl over
• dust bowl
• finger bowl
• goldfish bowl
• grain bowl
• mixing bowl
• punch bowl
• slop bowl
• wassail bowl

Rhymes for bowl

• bole
• coal
• droll
• foal
• goal
• hole
• knoll
• kol
• mole
• noll
• nolle
• ole

Kids Definition

bowl

1 of 3 noun

ˈbōl 

1

: a rounded dish generally deeper than a basin and larger than a cup

2

: the contents of a bowl

3

: the bowl-shaped part of something (as a spoon)

4

a

: a rounded valley or geographical region

the dust bowl

b

: a bowl-shaped stadium or theater

5

: bowl game

bowled

ˈbōld 

adjective

bowl

2 of 3 noun

1

a

: a ball shaped to roll in a curved path for use in lawn bowling

b

plural : lawn bowling

2

: a cast of the ball in bowling or bowls

bowl

3 of 3 verb

1

: to roll a ball in bowling or bowls

2

: to move smoothly and rapidly

Etymology

Old English bolla "bowl"

Middle English boule "a weighted ball," from early French boule (same meaning), from Latin bulla "bubble" — related to boil entry 2