draughts

noun

ˈdräf(t)s

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

British

: checkers

Examples of draughts in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Modern versions of checkers, or draughts, came in 1,110 A.D. when the French created a 64-sided square board and introduced turning pieces to kings in the game. —

Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2023 Chess is a classic game of strategy, similar to tic-tac-toe (noughts and crosses), checkers (draughts), reversi (Othello), backgammon and go, in which players take turns placing or moving pieces. —

Christof Koch, Scientific American, 19 Mar. 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'draughts.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English draghtes "chess or a similar game played on a checkerboard," plural of draught, drawt "act of pulling or drawing, movement, move in chess or a similar game" — more at draft entry 1

Note: See note at checkers.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of draughts was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century