blackjack

1 of 2

noun

black·​jack ˈblak-ˌjak How to pronounce blackjack (audio)
1
a
: a card game the object of which is to be dealt cards having a higher count than those of the dealer up to but not exceeding 21

called also twenty-one, vingt-et-un

b
: an ace and a face card or ten as the first two cards dealt to a player in the game of blackjack

called also natural, twenty-one

2
: a hand weapon typically consisting of a piece of leather-enclosed metal with a strap or springy shaft for a handle
3
[black + jack (vessel)] : a tankard for beer or ale usually of tar-coated leather
4
5
: an often scrubby oak (Quercus marilandica) chiefly of the southeastern U.S.

called also blackjack oak

blackjack

2 of 2

verb

blackjacked; blackjacking; blackjacks

transitive verb

1
: to strike with a blackjack
2
: to coerce with threats or pressure

Example Sentences

Verb you cannot blackjack me into going along with this an extortionist trying to blackjack a shopkeeper into paying protection money
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Once kiddos are sound asleep after a full day of ping pong, cornhole, horseshoes, stand-up paddle boarding, and bingo, many parents enjoy hitting the slot machines and blackjack table. Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2023 In casino terms, that was akin to being forced to leave the $10 minimum blackjack table and move over to the $100 minimum table, where the bankroll tends to deplete far more rapidly. David Blackmon, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023 The live dealer games include more than a dozen different blackjack options including Free Bet Blackjack and Lightning Blackjack. Ian Firstenberg, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2023 Not exactly high-stakes blackjack, but still challenging enough to keep players engaged. Guest Blogger, Discover Magazine, 19 July 2013 Online gossip columnist who played blackjack instead of tailing Britney in Vegas as assigned. ELLE, 19 Apr. 2023 During the six days at sea, passengers can play blackjack in the casino, take a yoga class in the fitness center, or enjoy cocktails while hovering over the ocean on the Magic Carpet. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2023 MagicRed offers thousands of games, including more than 750 slots and more than 130 live casino games that include more than 60 variants of blackjack. Dallas News, 28 Oct. 2022 The tribe won more than $400 million through bets taken at its Milwaukee slot machines, off-track betting windows and a range of table games that includes poker, craps and blackjack during the year that ended June 30, 2019. Tom Daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2022
Verb
The casino may be able to pick up some additional money from tables, after the gaming commission in mid-March allowed craps to resume and blackjack tables to expand. BostonGlobe.com, 15 Apr. 2021 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of blackjack was circa 1540

Dictionary Entries Near blackjack

Cite this Entry

“Blackjack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blackjack. Accessed 27 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

blackjack

noun
black·​jack
ˈblak-ˌjak
1
: a small leather-covered club with a flexible handle
2
: a small oak of the southern U.S. with very dark bark

More from Merriam-Webster on blackjack

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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