ballpoint pen

noun

ball·​point pen ˈbȯl-ˌpȯint- 

variants or less commonly ballpoint

ˈbȯl-ˌpȯint 

: a pen having as the writing point a small rotating metal ball that inks itself by contact with an inner magazine

Examples of ballpoint pen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The late Ján Mančuška’s short film The Invisible Exists (2009) was his only animation work, an enigmatic story rendered in ballpoint pen. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 10 Nov. 2026

This is a portrait, ballpoint pen on notebook paper, of a woman existing somewhere on Planet Earth. — Madeline Ffitch, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026

Prices range from a $10 pen and $17 ballpoint pen refill, to cocktail and tea sets and jewelry boxes from $3,000 to $5,000. — David Moin, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026

With deodorant, that could mean mascara wands, paint rollers or the real-life inspiration, the ballpoint pen. — Duncan Wardle, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ballpoint pen

• businessmen
• councilmen
• henequen
• julienne
• madeleine
• middlemen
• minutemen
• motormen
• patrolmen
• repairmen
• saracen
• signalmen