ballpoint

British  

/ ˈbɔːlˌpɔɪnt /

noun

1. Also called (Brit): Biro.  a pen having a small ball bearing as a writing point

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Explanation

A ballpoint is a type of pen with a tiny metal ball at its very tip. When you write with a ballpoint, the ball rolls, spreading ink onto the paper. The most common kind of writing pen is the ballpoint or ballpoint pen. When ballpoints were first developed around the turn of the 20th century, they gradually replaced fountain pens, which actually had to be dipped in ink. Not only were ballpoints easier and cleaner, they were also less expensive. The word ballpoint, also spelled ball-point, was first recorded in 1946.

Example Sentences

He took a year out to apply to study law, during which he worked as a dustman, on a kibbutz and as a ballpoint pen salesman in South Africa.

From BBC • Oct. 17, 2025

He called her every day and kept a diary, sketching rap lyrics and poems in blue ballpoint pen.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 15, 2025

It has tweezers, whatever backgrounds I’m working with and cutting tools that are usually ballpoint pens that have run out of ink.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2025

Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer showed his frustration by incessantly clicking his ballpoint pen during his postgame media interview.

From Seattle Times • May 5, 2024

They wrote things on the walls—tiny secret things in ballpoint pen and sprawling screaming things in spray paint.

From "Breadcrumbs" by Anne Ursu