pinball machine

noun

: an amusement device in which a ball propelled by a plunger scores points as it rolls down a slanting surface among pins and targets

called also pinball game

Examples of pinball machine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Kids will be entertained by things like the pinball machines while adults can relax and chat or play a game of pool. Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2025 Some may look familiar: pinball machines, Ms. Pac-Man, Street Fighter. Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025 Inside the business were people of all ages laughing and playing the many pinball machines. Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2025 SomePlace Else started as a way to capitalize on Parker’s hobbies of brewing and collecting pinball machines. Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pinball machine

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pinball machine was in 1936

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Cite this Entry

“Pinball machine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinball%20machine. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

pinball machine

noun
pin·​ball machine
ˈpin-ˌbȯl-
: a game in which a ball shot by a plunger scores points as it rolls around a slanting surface among pins and targets

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