# pinball

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈpɪnˌbɔːl/ · frequency rank #25,530

## Definitions
1. A game, played on a device with a sloping base (a pinball machine), in which the player operates a spring-loaded plunger to shoot a ball, between obstacles, and attempts to hit targets and score points.
2. The ball used in pinball.
3. A situation where a ball is frantically kicked between many players.

## Etymology
From pin + ball.

## Easily confused with
- **pitbull** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pinball-vs-pitbull)
- **paintball** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/paintball-vs-pinball)

## Common misspellings (9)
`ipnball`, `pibnall`, `pinabll`, `pinbal`, `pinbball`, `pinblal`, `pinnball`, `pniball`, `ppinball`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/pinball