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
: 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

Examples of blackjack in a Sentence

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
This is more than a casino’s advantage in six-deck blackjack against an optimal-strategy player, in which the casino would make five dollars on a comparable bet. John Ganz, Harper's Magazine, 22 May 2024 According to the study, Michigan leads the nation in money wagered with $1.92 billion bet on poker, blackjack and other online casino games. Jordan Green, Detroit Free Press, 26 Feb. 2024
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 all Example Sentences for blackjack 

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

Etymology

Noun

black entry 1 + jack entry 1

Verb

derivative of blackjack entry 1

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 26 Jul. 2024.

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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