domino

noun

dom·​i·​no ˈdä-mə-ˌnō 

plural dominoes or dominos

1

a(1)

: a long loose hooded cloak usually worn with a half mask as a masquerade costume

(2)

: a half mask worn over the eyes with a masquerade costume

b

: a person wearing a domino

2

a

: a flat rectangular block (as of wood or plastic) whose face is divided into two equal parts that are blank or bear usually from one to six dots arranged as on dice faces

b

dominoes or dominos plural in form but usually singular in construction : any of several games played with a set of usually 28 dominoes

3

: a member of a group (as of nations) expected to behave in accordance with the domino theory

Did you know?

The History of Domino

The origin of dominoes is rather obscure, and that is as true of the word as it is of the game. Both appeared in France shortly after 1750. In both English and French, domino earlier denoted a long hooded cloak worn together with a mask during carnival season or at a masquerade. It is an even earlier sense, however, that may link the garment with the playing piece. In French, domino originally referred to a cape worn by a priest over his surplice. Domino pieces were once made with ebony blacks and ivory faces, and it has been suggested that the playing piece brought to mind the priest’s black domino contrasting with the white surplice.

Examples of domino in a Sentence

Dominoes is one of my favorite games.

Recent Examples on the Web

On those service days and throughout the school year classes of students have taken turns picking up trash, raking and weeding beds, working in food pantries, helping at elementary schools and local nursing homes, and building wooden bird feeders and yard sets of dominoes. —Cynthia Howell, arkansasonline.com, 14 Apr. 2024

And there's the dominoes that are now falling one after the other. —Natalie Morales, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2024

One of those dominoes fell Monday, when general manager Mitch Kupchak transitioned to an advisory role. —Tim Reynolds, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2024

People sharpening their machetes and sweeping their front stoops and playing dominoes. —Jared Lemus, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2024

Keith Haring dominoes and UNO cards featuring art by Jean-Michel Basquiat are ready for table games. —Emiene Wright, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024

Saudi Arabia might then launch harsher and indiscriminate attacks on Houthis, and the dominoes could start falling. —Ed Lotterman, Idaho Statesman, 24 Jan. 2024

The dominoes from Michigan football’s win over Alabama in the Rose Bowl are starting to fall for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide. Alabama starting center Seth McLaughlin, who started all of 2023 for the Crimson Tide, entered the transfer portal on Wednesday, according to the Tuscaloosa News. —Jared Ramsey, Detroit Free Press, 4 Jan. 2024

Get ready for the dominoes to start falling in earnest as studios race to rearrange their 2024 theatrical release calendars amid the ongoing actors’ strike. —Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

French, probably from Latin (in the ritual formula benedicamus Domino let us bless the Lord)

First Known Use

circa 1694, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing domino

• domino effect
• domino theory

Kids Definition

domino

noun

dom·​i·​no ˈdäm-ə-ˌnō 

plural dominoes or dominos

1

: a long loose hooded cloak usually worn with a half mask as a masquerade costume

2

a

: a flat rectangular block whose face is divided into two equal parts that are blank or bear dots

b

plural : any of several games played with dominoes