bocce

noun

boc·​ce ˈbä-chē 

variants or less commonly bocci or boccie

: a bowling game of Italian origin played on a long narrow court (as of sand, clay, grass, or carpet) with bocce balls (see bocce balls sense 2) which are rolled to stop as close as possible to a small target ball

called also bocce ball

Examples of bocce in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The first level includes an outdoor kitchen, firepit lounge, and dining area; the second, a bocce court and swinging chair. — Rory Evans, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 July 2026

Other popular lawn games, like bocce, are easy to bring along and play in any location. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 June 2026

Previous phases added multipurpose turf fields, playgrounds, a challenge course, and a backyard games area with bocce and croquet courts, among other amenities. — Sofia Montoya-Deck, Baltimore Sun, 15 June 2026

It was founded in the city in 2018 and started with a softball league before expanding to multiple sports year-round – including volleyball, kickball, bowling, pickleball, football, bocce and more. — Mary Eber, CBS News, 12 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian bocce, plural of boccia ball, from Vulgar Latin *bottia boss

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bocce

• bocce ball

Rhymes for bocce

• cocci
• diplococci
• micrococci
• pneumococci
• meningococci