Pinball Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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pinball
[ˈpɪnˌbɔl ]
Definition
game machine
Pinball is an arcade game that involves scoring points by maneuvering a metal ball on a playfield using flippers. Players launch the ball and attempt to keep it in play while hitting various targets to increase their score. The game typically features a glass-covered surface where the ball bounces off bumpers, ramps, and other obstacles. Pinball machines often have bright colors, sound effects, and themes based on pop culture. It has been a popular entertainment option in arcades and bars since the 1930s.
Synonyms
arcade game, flipper game, pinball machine.
Examples of usage
- I used to spend hours playing pinball at the arcade.
- Her favorite game is the retro pinball machine.
- He set a new high score on the pinball table.
- We challenged each other to a pinball tournament.
Translations
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Origin of 'pinball'
The term 'pinball' originates from the combination of 'pin' and 'ball'. The 'pin' refers to the small posts or pins that are commonly found on the playfield of the game, which serve to alter the ball's trajectory and create unpredictability. The game as we know it began to take shape in the 1930s, evolving from earlier devices called bagatelle and tabletop games. Bagatelle involved shooting a ball into holes for points, and this concept was adapted with the addition of flippers, a feature that allows players to control the ball's movement. The first electric pinball machines were introduced in the 1930s, leading to a boom in popularity throughout the mid-20th century. By the 1970s and 1980s, pinball experienced a significant renaissance, with machines featuring intricate designs, complex scoring systems, and various electronic enhancements. Today, pinball is celebrated not only as a game of skill and chance but also as an art form, with dedicated communities preserving the history and innovation behind it.