inning

/ˈɪnɪŋ/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

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.

Noun

Examples

It is a baseball tradition to sing "Take Me Out To the Ball Game" during the seventh inning stretch.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A similar period of play.

Noun

Examples

We batted around in our half of the inning.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “inning” mean?

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.

Is “inning” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.