bocce

noun

boc·​ce ˈbä-chē How to pronounce bocce (audio)
variants or less commonly bocci or boccie
: a bowling game of Italian origin played on a long narrow court (as of sand, clay, grass, or carpet) with bocce balls (see bocce balls sense 2) which are rolled to stop as close as possible to a small target ball

called also bocce ball

Examples of bocce in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The property has a private pool, firepit, gardens, and river views, and its resort community offers restaurants, a pool, a spa, stables, a playground, a dog park, and basketball, bocce, pickleball, and tennis courts. The Week Staff, theweek, 6 Aug. 2024 The 42nd annual Italian Family Festa, being held Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 3-5, at History Park in San Jose, will feature grape stomping, pizza dough tossing, live music, bocce, a cultural zone with regional costumes, a Roman encampment … And plenty of food, wine and beer. Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2024 Just give yourself more than three days to enjoy morning cappuccinos, cannoli (the Ligurian variety), long ambles, and maybe even a game of bocce with the locals. Kasia Dietz, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2023 Visitors can play corn hole and pétanque, a French version of bocce. Elena Gastaldo, Idaho Statesman, 12 July 2024 If the weather had cooperated, my son and I would have enjoyed the outdoor firepit and bocce court, but the indoor gym and spa, with a steam room and sauna, were a lovely consolation. Christine Chitnis, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2024 Additional amenities across the estate include a bocce court, children’s play structures, and organic fruit orchards. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2024 Festa Italiana The Italian American Chamber of Commerce presents Festa Italiana, a celebration of Italian heritage that will feature live music, Italian food, Italian wines and beers, fireworks, a family fun zone complete with bounce houses, a zip line, bocce courts, rock-climbing wall, and more. Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 18 July 2024 The sprawling grounds also host a verdant olive tree grove, an infinity pool, and a bocce court. Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 12 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian bocce, plural of boccia ball, from Vulgar Latin *bottia boss

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bocce was in 1828

Dictionary Entries Near bocce

Cite this Entry

“Bocce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bocce. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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