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

The Saints hit their stride in the seventh inning, plating four runs with four walks. —Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 13 June 2024

Carroll got the scoring started in the second inning with an RBI triple into the right-center gap that brought home Grichuk. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2024

Turner doubled to left to open the second inning, with Springer singling to put runners at first and third. —Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 9 June 2024

The Mariners scored two runs in the seventh inning against reliever Will Klein. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2024

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

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