backgammon

noun

back·​gam·​mon ˈbak-ˌga-mən 

ˌbak-ˈga-

: a board game played with dice and counters in which players try to be the first to gather their pieces into one corner and then systematically remove them from the board

Examples of backgammon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are many thoughtful touches—a handmade olive wood marquetry backgammon set by Greek company Manopoulos, a full shoe cleaning set, large format Ortigia toiletries plus instinctive and easy to use lighting, shower controls and curtain systems. —Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

Dice clatter on backgammon boards, entrepreneurial cats seem busy, children chase soccer balls, and a tethered goat chews on something inedible in its low-profile corner. —Rick Steves, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026

Polly’s places were popular not only with johns but with members of New York’s culturati, who enjoyed visiting for conversations, cocktails, and occasional games of backgammon. —Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026

Afternoon tea and backgammon were a leisurely ritual for my husband, Ronen, and me while our son, Nadav, napped. —Alisha Prakash, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from back entry 3 + Middle English gamen, game game

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for backgammon

• examen
• examine
• glutamine
• famine
• gammon
• mammon
• reexamine

Kids Definition

backgammon

noun

back·​gam·​mon ˈbak-ˌgam-ən 

ˌbak-ˈgam-

: a board game for two played with dice in which the object is to be the first to move all one's pieces around and off the board