To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Definition of blackjack
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a : 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 : sphalerite
5 : an often scrubby oak (Quercus marilandica) chiefly of the southeastern U.S.
— called also blackjack oak
blackjack
verbblackjacked; blackjacking; blackjacks
Definition of blackjack (Entry 2 of 2)
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Semantic Drift Quiz
- Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share blackjack
Time Traveler for blackjack
The first known use of blackjack was circa 1540
See more words from the same year