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 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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ball bearing was in 1860

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.

Kids Definition

ball bearing

noun
1
: 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

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