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

My kid is going to want to play a vintage pinball machine. —Eric Ducker, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026

Moss’ new Florence operation is inside Seminar Brewing, a sprawling complex with a full bar (with Seminar beer on tap, of course) and a game corner with pool tables and pinball machines. —Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026

Families can enjoy a variety of different pinball machines from different eras from the disco 1970s to alien invasions of the 1990s. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado april 6, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026

The dive bar next door — illuminated by a dozen vintage pinball machines — will do just fine. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pinball machine

• acetylene
• adenosine
• amphetamine
• anthropocene
• antipyrine
• apomorphine
• apoprotein
• aquamarine
• arsphenamine
• azobenzene
• buprenorphine
• chlorobenzene

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