innings
UK: ˈɪnɪŋz | US: ˈɪnɪŋz
n. (in cricket or baseball) a division of a game during which one team or player takes a turn batting.
n. (figuratively) a period of opportunity or activity in a person's life or career.
The word "innings" originates from Old English "innian," meaning "to lodge or dwell within," reflecting the idea of a team taking their turn "within" the game. Over time, it evolved in sports terminology (particularly cricket and baseball) to denote a team's turn to bat. The "-ings" suffix is a nominalizing element, common in forming nouns from verbs. The term metaphorically extends to life or career phases, emphasizing a period of active participation.
The home team scored heavily in their first innings.
His political career had a long and successful innings.
The match was decided in the final innings.
She’s had a good innings in the publishing industry.
Rain interrupted play during the second innings.