bocce

noun

boc·​ce ˈbä-chē How to pronounce bocce (audio)
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
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.
Two bocce courts and a horseshoe pit. David Caraccio march 21, Sacbee.com, 21 Mar. 2026 Two swimming pools, a bocce court, a yoga studio, a dog spa and a clubroom would all be part of the condo lifestyle. Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 14 Mar. 2026 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, 25 Feb. 2026 Their tasting room occupies a former 1920s schoolhouse with bocce courts outside. Audrey T. Williams, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026 Other board members suggested a bocce court, ping pong, lawn darts and other replacements. Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026 Two additional guest bedrooms include one with its own bath and another with access to a nearby powder room with a shower, with both leading out to a side yard hosting a bocce court. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026 The development includes plans for a subterranean garage and outdoor recreation areas with a pool, bocce courts and walking trails plus a tram to move residents around. Julie Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Jan. 2026 There’s a kids’ club, with activities that kids actually want to do, a family-friendly pool (in addition to a more chill pool), and outdoor games area with things like corn hole, ping-pong, foosball, and bocce. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bocce was in 1828

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bocce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bocce. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.

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