checkerboard

noun

check·​er·​board ˈche-kər-ˌbȯrd How to pronounce checkerboard (audio)
1
: a board used in various games (such as checkers) with usually 64 squares in 2 alternating colors
2
: something that has a pattern or arrangement like a checkerboard

Examples of checkerboard in a Sentence

The fields formed a checkerboard of light and dark squares.
Recent Examples on the Web These highly coveted gloves keep you warm with vegan micro-suede palms, a cozy wool-like back with distinctive checkerboard pattern, and a special conductive material sewn into both index fingers that works on touchscreens. Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 24 Nov. 2023 The Devil Wears Prada actor made quite the entrance in a mint green and silver checkerboard column dress made of chain mail mesh—the exact look Schiffer wore to close Versace's spring 2024 show less than a week ago. Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 29 Sep. 2023 The retailer offers a wide variety of rugs from checkerboards to traditional Persian designs, including collections by style experts like Jake Arnold. Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2023 The collection reimagined the iconic Damier motif, which dates back to 1889, and featured the checkerboard design on everything from the runway to a taxicab-yellow leather suit. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2023 As well as a pink and yellow checkerboard stage, the show features some oversized bathroom items, including a larger-than-life toilet and plunger and a colossal rubber duck. Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 7 Oct. 2023 The foyer features a black-and-white marble checkerboard floor and a large bronze cupid sculpture by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023 The building also offers doorman services and a plush lobby with a classy black-and-white checkerboard floor. Mark David, Robb Report, 15 Sep. 2023 Cork tiles form a checkerboard pattern in the Brooklyn home of Calico Wallpaper founders Rachel and Nicholas Cope. Katy Spratte Joyce, ELLE Decor, 31 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'checkerboard.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of checkerboard was in 1775

Dictionary Entries Near checkerboard

Cite this Entry

“Checkerboard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/checkerboard. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

checkerboard

noun
check·​er·​board -ˌbō(ə)rd How to pronounce checkerboard (audio)
-ˌbȯ(ə)rd
: a board used in games and marked with 64 squares in two colors

More from Merriam-Webster on checkerboard

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