Definition

Noun: 1. A lane for bowling: A long, narrow, flat surface, typically made of wood or a synthetic material, down which a bowling ball is rolled toward a set of pins. 2. A building for bowling: A building or establishment that contains several of these lanes, along with equipment and facilities for the sport of bowling.

Usage and Examples

• Referring to the lane itself:
  • The bowling alley was freshly waxed and very fast.
  • Please wait for the pinsetter to reset before rolling your ball down the bowling alley.
• Referring to the building/establishment:
  • We're going to the bowling alley on Friday night.
  • The new bowling alley has 32 lanes and a full-service restaurant.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metonymically, where "bowling alley" refers to the business or social activity happening within the building.
  • The local bowling alley is a popular community hub.

Variants and Related Words

• Alley (noun): In the context of bowling, this is a common shortened form of "bowling alley" when the meaning is clear.
  • He reserved alley number seven for our party.
• Lane (noun): The specific playing surface within a bowling alley.
  • Our lane is ready; let's start the game.

Synonyms

• Bowling lane (noun): Specifically refers to the playing surface.
• Bowling center (noun): A more formal term for the building or establishment.
• Tenpin alley (noun): A specific type of bowling alley for ten-pin bowling.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• (To be) right up/down someone's alley: This idiom, meaning something is well-suited to a person's interests or skills, uses "alley" in a general sense, not specifically a bowling alley.
  • Complex puzzles are right up her alley.

Noun

1. a lane down which a bowling ball is rolled toward pins
2. a building that contains several alleys for bowling