10 in a lane NYT crossword clue

This clue uses a bit of visual and contextual imagery. The word “lane” here doesn’t refer to a road but rather a bowling lane. In the sport of bowling, players aim to knock down objects arranged at the end of the lane. These objects are set up in a triangular formation and are essential to the game.

The correct answer to the clue “10 in a lane” is PINS. In bowling, ten pins are set up at the end of the lane at the start of each frame. The goal is to knock down as many pins as possible with a bowling ball, ideally all ten in one roll—a strike.