1. [n]  a dish that is round and open at the top for serving foods
2. [n]  a round vessel that is open at the top; used for holding fruit or liquids or for serving food
3. [n]  a small round container that is open at the top for holding tobacco
4. [n]  a wooden ball (with flattened sides) used in the game of bowls
5. [n]  a large structure for open-air sports or entertainments
6. [n]  the quantity contained in a bowl
7. [n]  a concave shape with an open top
8. [v]  go bowling
9. [v]  roll (a ball), as in bowling

1. \Bowl\ (b[=o]l), n. [OE. bolle, AS. bolla; akin to Icel.
   bolli, Dan. bolle, G. bolle, and perh. to E. boil a tumor.
   Cf. {Boll}.]
   1. A concave vessel of various forms (often approximately
      hemispherical), to hold liquids, etc.
   
            Brought them food in bowls of basswood.
                                                  --Longfellow.
   
   2. Specifically, a drinking vessel for wine or other
      spirituous liquors; hence, convivial drinking.
   
   3. The contents of a full bowl; what a bowl will hold.
   
   4. The hollow part of a thing; as, the bowl of a spoon.
   
   

2. \Bowl\ (b[=o]l), n. [F. boule, fr. L. bulla bubble, stud.
   Cf. {Bull} an edict, {Bill} a writing.]
   1. A ball of wood or other material used for rolling on a
      level surface in play; a ball of hard wood having one side
      heavier than the other, so as to give it a bias when
      rolled.
   
   2. pl. An ancient game, popular in Great Britain, played with
      biased balls on a level plat of greensward.
   
            Like an uninstructed bowler, . . . who thinks to
            attain the jack by delivering his bowl
            straightforward upon it.              --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.
   
   3. pl. The game of tenpins or bowling. [U.S.]
   
   

3. \Bowl\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bowled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Bowling}.]
   1. To roll, as a bowl or cricket ball.
   
            Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel, And
            bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven. --Shak.
   
   2. To roll or carry smoothly on, or as on, wheels; as, we
      were bowled rapidly along the road.
   
   3. To pelt or strike with anything rolled.
   
            Alas, I had rather be set quick i' the earth, And
            bowled to death with turnips?         --Shak.
   
   {To bowl} (a player) {out}, in cricket, to put out a striker
      by knocking down a bail or a stump in bowling.
   
   

4. \Bowl\, v. i.
   1. To play with bowls.
   
   2. To roll a ball on a plane, as at cricket, bowls, etc.
   
   3. To move rapidly, smoothly, and like a ball; as, the
      carriage bowled along.
   
   

The sockets of the lamps of the golden candlestick of the tabernacle are called bowls (Ex. 25:31, 33, 34; 37:17, 19, 20); the same word so rendered being elsewhere rendered "cup" (Gen. 44:2, 12, 16), and wine "pot" (Jer. 35:5). The reservoir for oil, from which pipes led to each lamp in Zechariah's vision of the candlestick, is called also by this name (Zech. 4:2, 3); so also are the vessels used for libations (Ex. 25:29; 37:16).