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
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)
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 Marlins immediately lost the perfect game and no-hitter in the eighth inning once Perez was pulled as Lake Bachar walked Lawrence Butler and gave up a single to Joshua Kuroda-Grauer.
—
Miami Herald,
6 July 2026
On the 50th anniversary of the All-Star game, Fred Lynn’s grand slam off Atlee Hammaker, the first in All-Star competition, capped a record seven-run third inning.
—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2026
Buxton was replaced in center by Kyler Fedko in the bottom of the first inning.
—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
6 July 2026
Adrian Del Castillo hit a three-run home run in the first inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks held on to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 on Saturday night.
—
ABC News,
5 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for inning
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Miami Herald,
6 July 2026
On the 50th anniversary of the All-Star game, Fred Lynn’s grand slam off Atlee Hammaker, the first in All-Star competition, capped a record seven-run third inning.
—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2026
Buxton was replaced in center by Kyler Fedko in the bottom of the first inning.
—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
6 July 2026
Adrian Del Castillo hit a three-run home run in the first inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks held on to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 on Saturday night.
—
ABC News,
5 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for inning
Cite this Entry
“Inning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inning. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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