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

His durability would not compute in the modern game — 14 consecutive seasons with 200 innings! —Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026

Rodriguez, however, was back to pitching regularly in September and ultimately recalled to the majors in the middle of the month, finishing with five scoreless appearances after allowing a run in one-third of an inning in his initial return. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026

In the 1991 World Series, Kirby Puckett launched a dramatic walk-off home run in the 11th inning of Game 6. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026

Texas Rangers pitcher Tyler Mahle throws to the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Arlington, Texas. —CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026

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