canasta

noun

ca·​nas·​ta kə-ˈna-stə 

1

: a form of rummy using two full decks in which players or partnerships try to meld groups of three or more cards of the same rank and score bonuses for 7-card melds

2

: a meld of seven cards of the same rank in canasta

Examples of canasta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some of these include lunches, dances, game day such as bridge and canasta, pickleball, table tennis, exercise including Zumba Gold and strengthening, art and educational classes, as well as movie days — all of which are intended to enrich life and foster friendships. —Sharon Hlapcich, Orange County Register, 6 Feb. 2025

Plus, coordinating two decks is a stylish way to play certain games—canasta, anyone? —Belle Duchene, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2023

Few people would brag about owning these road crushers, which were relegated mostly to winter but when more respectable types were stuck at home playing canasta. —Martin Padgett Jr., Car and Driver, 2 Aug. 2023

Nursing a canasta defeat nearby, Jacque Deuser, 67, said the way Mr. Biden sometimes walked reminded her of her late husband, who had dementia. —Katie Glueck, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, literally, basket

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for canasta

• hasta
• rasta
• shasta