[in.ning] n [
[2]in + [1]-ing] (1735) 1 a pl but sing or pl in constr: a division of a cricket match b: 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 c: a player's turn (as in horseshoes, pool, or croquet)
2: a chance or opportunity for action or accomplishment--usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr. "that momentous ~s which was to project him into world politics --Times Lit. Supp."