/boh"ling/ , n.
1. any of several games in which players standing at one end of an alley or green roll balls at standing objects or toward a mark at the other end, esp. a game in which a heavy ball is rolled from one end of a wooden alley at wooden pins set up at the opposite end. Cf. boccie, candlepin (def. 2), duckpin (def. 2), lawn bowling, ninepin (def. 2), tenpin (def. 2).
2. the game of bowls.
3. an act or instance of playing or participating in any such game: Bowling is a pleasant way to exercise.
[ 1525-35; BOWL 2 + -ING 1 ]