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 organization stuck with a strategy of a maximum of four innings per start in 2024 for the Oswego East product. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025

Sasaki continued his impressive strikeout record, punching out 11 over 7 2/3 innings. —Jamie Barton, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025

Nobody who debuted after 1989 threw more innings than the durable Sabathia, who is one of only 49 pitchers to win at least 250 games. —Peter Sblendorio, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025

Scott pitched for the Padres last season and owned Ohtani in the postseason, striking him out four times while pitching three scoreless innings against them. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025

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