billiards

noun

bil·​liards ˈbi(l)-yərdz How to pronounce billiards (audio)
plural in form but singular in construction
: any of several games played on an oblong table by driving small balls against one another or into pockets with a cue
specifically : a game in which one scores by causing a cue ball to hit in succession two object balls compare pool entry 3

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The word billiards refers to any of various games played on a cloth-topped, cushion-railed rectangular table by driving small, hard balls against one another or into pockets, with a long stick called a cue. Carom, or French billiards, is played with three balls, two white and one red, on a table without pockets. The object is to strike the white cue ball so that it hits the two object balls in succession, scoring a carom (one point). English billiards is also played with three balls, but on a pocketed table; it is scored in various ways. Snooker is another popular British billiards game. The principal billiards game in North America is pocket billiards, or pool. The Billiard Congress of America controls US tournament play, including the US Open Pockets Billiard Championship, regarded as the world championship.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French billard billiard cue, billiards, from bille wooden stick, log — more at billet

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of billiards was in 1580

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Cite this Entry

“Billiards.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/billiards. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

billiards

noun
bil·​liards ˈbil-yərdz How to pronounce billiards (audio)
: a game played by driving solid balls with a cue into one another or into pockets on a large rectangular table

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