pinset

Pinset is a term used in different fields to refer to distinct concepts, and its meaning depends on context. In bowling, the device most people refer to is the pinsetter, a mechanical system that resets pins after each roll. Pinsetters automate the lifting, lowering, and rearranging of the ten pins into their standard triangular formation, often integrating lane sensors and conveyors. The technology evolved from manual pinsetting to automated systems in the mid-20th century and is now a routine, highly automated part of modern bowling alleys.

In electronics and hardware contexts, pinset is used informally to denote a defined group or collection of connector pins on a device or header. It highlights the arrangement or function of pins rather than any individual contact. For example, a pin set might refer to a set of GPIO pins, a power/ground pin group, or a specific signal group within a larger connector or integrated circuit. Documentation typically pairs this with a pinout or schematic to show how the pins are mapped and used.

Outside these fields, pinset can appear as a brand name or in niche terminology, but it does not have a single, universally accepted definition across disciplines. When encountered, the precise meaning is usually clarified by the surrounding technical or domain-specific context.