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
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)
The Times Literary Supplement (London)Examples of inning in a Sentence
She hit a double in the fourth inning.
Recent Examples on the Web
Angels first baseman Trey Mancini, a cancer survivor and former Baltimore slugger, had three hits in his first major league game since 2023 on Monday night in a 5-4 loss to the Houston Astros in 10 innings.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
The Brewers proceeded to blow up the game against reliever Jaden Hill, who served up a two-run homer to Gary Sanchez and ended up giving up five runs on four hits and two walks in one-third of an inning.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 8 June 2026
The Cubs players continued to taunt Ruth at every opportunity, and a big one came their way in the bottom of the fourth inning when Jurges slashed a sinking liner into right field and the lumbering, top-heavy Babe muffed a shoestring catch.
—Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
During the fifth inning of the game at Coors Field, Freeland stepped off the mound and tipped his cap to cheering fans and then in the direction of his family.
—Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for inning
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
The Brewers proceeded to blow up the game against reliever Jaden Hill, who served up a two-run homer to Gary Sanchez and ended up giving up five runs on four hits and two walks in one-third of an inning.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 8 June 2026
The Cubs players continued to taunt Ruth at every opportunity, and a big one came their way in the bottom of the fourth inning when Jurges slashed a sinking liner into right field and the lumbering, top-heavy Babe muffed a shoestring catch.
—Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
During the fifth inning of the game at Coors Field, Freeland stepped off the mound and tipped his cap to cheering fans and then in the direction of his family.
—Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for inning
Cite this Entry
“Inning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inning. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
