tenpins

[ ten-pinz ]

noun

1. (used with a singular verb) a form of bowling, played with ten wooden pins at which a ball is bowled to knock them down.
2. tenpin, a pin used in this game.

tenpins

/ ˈtɛnˌpɪnz /

noun

1. functioning as singular a US and Canadian name for tenpin bowling

Word History and Origins

Origin of tenpins¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; ten + pin + -s ³

Example Sentences

“And these people were being knocked down like tenpins right opposite where I was driving. I saw them being hit from behind and they were falling to the ground,” he said.

From The Guardian

She went upstairs, got one of her Egypt books, and showed the rest of them that the tenpins were shaped exactly like the inner part of the double crown of Egypt.

From Literature

What I did not expect to see was a giant metal ball blasting into the gymnasium, scattering players like tenpins.

From Literature

Slowed to a crawl, single enemies are easily dispatched, and groups of two or three topple like tenpins.

From Time

The act of playing at or rolling bowls, or of rolling the ball at cricket; the game of bowls or of tenpins.

From Project Gutenberg