Inning

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɪnɪŋ

Origin

Back-formation from {{3}}, mistaken to be plural of the time period, not the entries of the batters/batsmen.

Full definition of inning

Noun

1. (baseball) A period of play in which members of a visiting baseball team attempt to hit a baseball pitched by the opposing home team until three players are called out, followed by a similar attempt by members of the home baseball team against the visiting team's pitching. There are nine or more innings in a regulation baseball game.It is a baseball tradition to sing "Take Me Out To the Ball Game" during the seventh inning stretch.
2. (softball) A similar period of play.We batted around in our half of the inning.
3. (billiards) A player (or team)'s turn at the table to make shots until ended by a miss or a foul.
4. A chance or opportunity to perform some deed or act.We are in just the second inning of our quest to enter this new market.
5. (obsolete) Lands recovered from the sea.

Related terms

• top : (baseball) (softball) first half of an inning
• bottom : (baseball) (softball) second half of an inning