ball bearing
noun
: a bearing in which the journal turns upon loose hardened steel balls that roll easily in a race
also
: one of the balls in such a bearing
Examples of ball bearing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Get a pencil and a small, round hard sphere, such as a ball bearing or a marble.
—
Stephen L. MacKnik, Scientific American, 1 May 2014
The stainless steel ball bearings are spread evenly across the torso, creating a less bulky look.
—Jack Byram, Health, 14 July 2023
The puck was three times the size of a normal puck, and filled with ball bearings that rattled loudly.
—Andrew Leland, The New Yorker, 8 July 2023
The micro-rotor is equipped with ceramic ball bearings that facilitate its movement, plus a shock absorber that decreases the vibrations, hence the noise of the rotor.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 12 May 2023
Stockpiles of rockets and missiles and the parts needed to build them—from titanium castings, ball bearings, and explosives for ammunition to solid rocket motors, ruggedized microchips, integrated circuits, and optical sensors—are reaching dangerously low levels.
—Jeff Link, WIRED, 19 July 2023
Steel Shot Slingshot Ammo Balls Steel Shot Slingshot Ammo Balls $27 at Amazon Otherwise known as ball bearings, these tiny, oven-safe stainless steels balls—which, fun fact, are also used as slingshot ammo—are much heavier than ceramic weights.
—Zoe Denenberg, Bon Appétit, 29 June 2023
These are crucial inputs for the production of electrical batteries, catalytic converters, phones, ball bearings, light tubes, and microchips.
—Nicholas Mulder, Foreign Affairs, 22 Mar. 2022
Reel specs generally list the number of ball bearings plus one roller bearing for the anti-reverse clutch.
—Morgan Lyle, Field & Stream, 4 May 2023
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Stephen L. MacKnik, Scientific American, 1 May 2014
The stainless steel ball bearings are spread evenly across the torso, creating a less bulky look.
—Jack Byram, Health, 14 July 2023
The puck was three times the size of a normal puck, and filled with ball bearings that rattled loudly.
—Andrew Leland, The New Yorker, 8 July 2023
The micro-rotor is equipped with ceramic ball bearings that facilitate its movement, plus a shock absorber that decreases the vibrations, hence the noise of the rotor.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 12 May 2023
Stockpiles of rockets and missiles and the parts needed to build them—from titanium castings, ball bearings, and explosives for ammunition to solid rocket motors, ruggedized microchips, integrated circuits, and optical sensors—are reaching dangerously low levels.
—Jeff Link, WIRED, 19 July 2023
Steel Shot Slingshot Ammo Balls Steel Shot Slingshot Ammo Balls $27 at Amazon Otherwise known as ball bearings, these tiny, oven-safe stainless steels balls—which, fun fact, are also used as slingshot ammo—are much heavier than ceramic weights.
—Zoe Denenberg, Bon Appétit, 29 June 2023
These are crucial inputs for the production of electrical batteries, catalytic converters, phones, ball bearings, light tubes, and microchips.
—Nicholas Mulder, Foreign Affairs, 22 Mar. 2022
Reel specs generally list the number of ball bearings plus one roller bearing for the anti-reverse clutch.
—Morgan Lyle, Field & Stream, 4 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ball bearing.' 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
1860, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near ball bearing
Cite this Entry
“Ball bearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ball%20bearing. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
ball bearing
noun1
: a bearing in which the revolving part turns on steel balls that roll easily in a groove
2
: one of the balls in a ball bearing
More from Merriam-Webster on ball bearing
Nglish: Translation of ball bearing for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ball bearing
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