canasta

noun ca·nas·ta \ kə-ˈnas-tə \

Updated on: 5 Apr 2018

Definition of canasta

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

See canasta defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of canasta from the Web

Eighty guests joined 20 members in playing bingo, canasta, bridge and progressive rummy.

— joyce rudolph, latimes.com, "Community: Entities prove service to community is top priority," 27 Mar. 2018
There's always a class going on at the center for the community to enjoy such as yoga, quilting, karate, dominoes and canasta.

— kaila contreras, Houston Chronicle, "Huffman history: May Community Center hosts events near Lake Houston," 14 Mar. 2018
Jacquie always had more energy than any two people, playing tennis and canasta, swimming and painting as a young working mother, and filling her later years with ceramics, water ballet, ushering, and bridge.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 2/24," 24 Feb. 2018
As a recent cancer survivor, Barbara loved to exercise, play bridge, knit, and was starting a new hobby, learning to play canasta with her friends in Florida.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 2/2," 2 Feb. 2018
The most diminutive example in town is probably the tacos de canasta at Guapo Taco (2430 W 47th St.) in Brighton Park.

— nick kindelsperger, chicagotribune.com, "A quest to find the best Mexican chorizo in Chicago," 9 Aug. 2017
CANASTA KITCHEN 2 ½ stars WHERE: 2118 Mt. Diablo St., Concord CONTACT: 925-822-3996; www.canastakitchen.com HOURS: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

— daniel m. jimenez, The Mercury News, "Dining review: Concord’s Canasta Kitchen shines with traditional Mexican fare," 23 May 2017
The glassware was reminiscent of the mid-20th century, when gathering to play card games such as canasta and bridge was in vogue – and drinking was a seriously stylish endeavor.

— sarah de crescenzo, Orange County Register, "Vintage barware," 16 Mar. 2017
E-mail lists and forums, role-playing games and online canasta are all precursors to potential romance.

— regina lynn, WIRED, "Beyond the Dating Database," 11 Mar. 2005

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'canasta.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.