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

After Alcantara held Venezuela to three runs over three innings, seven relievers — Huascar Brazoban, Juan Mejia, Seranthony Dominguez, Dennis Santana, Camilo Doval, Abner Uribe and Elvis Alvarado — covered the final six innings to secure the win. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026

He was lifted from the game without recording an out, only to get re-inserted in the second inning to complete two scoreless innings. —Jack Vita, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026

Winner Sandy Alcantara — the Marlins’ ace, pitching in his home ballpark — gave up three runs and five hits while striking out three in three innings. —Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026

Teel ripped a pitch down the first-base line in the sixth inning. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 11 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