bocce ball

noun

variants or less commonly bocci ball or boccie ball
1
: bocce
2
plural bocce balls also bocci balls or boccie balls : a ball (as of wood or thermosetting resin) used in the game of bocce

Examples of bocce ball in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Outside, a pool and hammocks await, but guests can also partake in a (friendly!) game of giant Jenga, bocce ball, or cornhole. — Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 24 Apr. 2025 On Friday, April 11, the family shared a video on Facebook of Dylan’s most recent accomplishments in rehab the day before, playing bocce ball with a recreation therapist. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bocce ball was in 1903

Rhymes for bocce ball

See All Rhymes for bocce ball

Browse Nearby Words

bocce
bocce ball
Boccherini
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bocce ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bocce%20ball. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All