inning

noun

in·​ning ˈi-niŋ 

1

a

: a division of a baseball game consisting of a turn at bat for each team

also : a baseball team's turn at bat ending with the third out

b

innings ˈi-niŋz  plural in form but singular or plural in construction : a division of a cricket match

c

: a player's turn (as in horseshoes, pool, or croquet)

2

: a chance or opportunity for action or accomplishment

—usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction

… that momentous innings … which was to project him into world politics …

—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

Examples of inning in a Sentence

She hit a double in the fourth inning.

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1975, Carlton Fisk’s epic home run in the 12th inning of Game 6 was called on NBC by Red Sox announcer Dick Stockton, who would later become the lead NBA voice for CBS. —Joe Reedy, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026

Hawkesworth tossed 6 innings, scattering 4 hits with 5 strikeouts and 2 walks for Argyle (10-14, 4-2). —Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026

For the second consecutive game, Birmingham pitcher Nathan Soto couldn’t make it out of the first inning. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026

Baumler came into the Rangers’ exhibition game against the Kansas City Royals in relief of MacKenzie Gore in the fifth inning. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

in entry 2 + -ing entry 1

First Known Use

1735, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing inning

• the seventh-inning stretch

Rhymes for inning

• binning
• dinning
• ginning
• grinning
• pinning
• sinning
• skinning
• spinning
• thinning
• tinning
• twinning
• winning

Kids Definition

inning

noun

in·​ning ˈin-iŋ 

: a division of a baseball game consisting of a turn at bat for each team

also : a baseball team's turn at bat