ballpoint pen

[ bawl-point pen ]

noun

1. a pen in which the point is a fine ball bearing that rotates against a supply of semisolid ink in a cartridge, thus rolling the ink onto paper.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ballpoint pen¹

First recorded in 1945–50; ball ¹ + point

Example Sentences

Following a scoreless draw against the LA Galaxy at Lumen Field Sunday, the longtime Sounders coach compulsively clicked a ballpoint pen and lamented his team’s lack of belief.

From Seattle Times

His pictures from that time are in blue ballpoint pen on pieces of paper torn out of notebooks — that’s all Kostenko had.

From Seattle Times

He has a clipboard on his lap, a ballpoint pen in one hand.

From Literature

They recorded its vitals — a plump and healthy Townsend’s warbler weighing 8.4 grams, about as much as a ballpoint pen — and gently clamped an identification band on one of its legs.

From Los Angeles Times

Like Laurie, Mike put the brakes on before breaking out the ballpoint pen.

From Seattle Times