Etymology: Middle English, from Old English gamen; akin to Old High German gaman amusement
Date: before 12th century
1 a (1): activity engaged in for diversion or amusement :play(2): the equipment for a game b: often derisive or mocking jesting :fun, sport<make game of a nervous player> 2 a: a procedure or strategy for gaining an end :tacticb: an illegal or shady scheme or maneuver :racket 3 a (1): a physical or mental competition conducted according to rules with the participants in direct opposition to each other (2): a division of a larger contest (3): the number of points necessary to win (4): points scored in certain card games (as in all fours) by a player whose cards count up the highest (5): the manner of playing in a contest (6): the set of rules governing a game (7): a particular aspect or phase of play in a game or sport <a football team's kicking game>bplural: organized athletics c (1): a field of gainful activity :line<the newspaper game>(2): any activity undertaken or regarded as a contest involving rivalry, strategy, or struggle <the dating game><the game of politics>; also: the course or period of such an activity <got into aviation early in the game>(3): area of expertise :specialty 3 <comedy is not my game> 4 a (1): animals under pursuit or taken in hunting; especially: wild animals hunted for sport or food (2): the flesh of game animals barchaic:pluckc: a target or object especially of ridicule or attack —often used in the phrase fair game