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
Their playoff probability has risen only modestly since the break, from 48.6% to 58.9% — from a coin flip to sitting in the dealer seat at a blackjack table. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2024 Other than that, Las Atlantis offers hundreds of slot games and a selection of other table and card games, including poker and blackjack. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 19 Jan. 2024 Neither of the girls had ever expressed any interest in blackjack. Celine Saintclare, Vogue, 4 Jan. 2024 On November 17, Jennifer Lopez and husband Ben Affleck hosted a poker and blackjack tournament to help kick off Formula 1's Las Vegas Grand Prix while raising money for Affleck's non-profit Eastern Congo Initiative. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 18 Nov. 2023 His love of sports also led to him becoming a blackjack expert; a bridge, tennis and golf player; and a youth sports coach. Jimena Tavel, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2024 Related: Best Poker Sites If that’s still not enough for you, their live dealer casino sports live blackjack, baccarat, super six, and both American and European roulette. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2024 In a city where fortunes are regularly made and lost, K.C. hit blackjack in its bid to become the NFL's newest dynasty – prevailing in overtime against the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in Super Bowl 58. USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2024 Guests have returned, filling the blackjack and roulette tables amid the cacophony of jingling slot machines — the sound of money. Peter S. Goodman Bridget Bennett, New York Times, 5 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

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 28 Mar. 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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