1
a(1)
: a physical or mental competition conducted according to rules with the participants in direct opposition to each other
(2)
: a division of a larger contest
(3)
: the manner of playing in a contest
(4)
: a particular aspect or phase of play in a game or sport
a football team's kicking game
(5)
: the set of rules governing a game
(6)
: the number of points necessary to win
(7)
: points scored in certain card games (as in all fours) by a player whose cards count up the highest
b
games plural
: organized athletics
c(1)
: a field of gainful activity : line
the newspaper game
(2)
: any activity undertaken or regarded as a contest involving rivalry, strategy, or struggle
the dating game
the game of politics
also
: the course or period of such an activity
got into aviation early in the game
(3)
: area of expertise : specialty sense 3
comedy is not my game
2
3
4
a(1)
: animals under pursuit or taken in hunting
especially
: wild animals hunted for sport or food
(2)
: the flesh of game animals
b
: a target or object especially of ridicule or attack
—often used in the phrase fair game
c
archaic
: pluck
1
a
: willing or ready to proceed
were game for anything
b
: having or showing a resolute unyielding spirit
2
: of or relating to game
game laws
gamely
adverb
gameness
noun
gamed; gaming; games
1
: to manipulate, exploit, or cheat in (a system, a situation, etc.) slyly or dishonestly for personal gain
game the tax system
… a male bus driver who tried to game a drug test by using his wife's urine …—
Chuck Shepherd
Chuck Shepherd2
: to play video games
Globally [in 2019], more than two billion people play video games, including 150 million Americans (nearly half the country's population), 60 percent of whom game daily.—Ferris Jabr
Ferris Jabr3
4
archaic
: to lose or squander by gambling
: being a body part and especially a limb that is usually permanently impaired in function
Despite his eyeglasses and his game leg, early in 1900 [Erskine] Childers volunteered for the Boer War.—Timothy Foote
Timothy FooteWorking his rifle lever with daunting speed despite his game arm …—Ron Soodalter
Ron SoodalterExamples of game in a Sentence
Noun
poker and other gambling games
She scored a goal to tie the game.
We played a few games of chess.
That was a good game!
She won the first two games, but lost the set and the match.
children playing at their games
They are known to play a very rough game.
She has a strong all-around game.
She needs to improve her game if she wants to win the championship.
a football team with a strong running game
Adjective (1)
are you game for going out tonight?
Recent Examples on the Web
Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2025
Although the Steelers' playoff run was short, Wilson started in his 17th postseason game as the Steelers looked to make it out of the Wild Card round.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 2 May 2025
After homilies, Francis was always game to pose for selfies, especially with teens.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
Simon Hill, Wired News, 26 June 2025
Anything that turns gaming into a safe social activity seems like a good idea to me.
—Sabrina Rojas Weiss, Parents, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for game
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The 6-foot-1 guard, who has a 6-6 wingspan, averaged 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists during 36 games but saw his scoring jump to 16.1 points when he was inserted into the starting lineup for the last 15 contests to help Michigan State reach the Elite Eight.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2025
Although the Steelers' playoff run was short, Wilson started in his 17th postseason game as the Steelers looked to make it out of the Wild Card round.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Adjective
Shop leisurely during the game at the Orioles Store without the pre- or post-game crowds.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 2 May 2025
After homilies, Francis was always game to pose for selfies, especially with teens.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
These smoky, dark dens of gaming iniquity used to be everywhere, enticing you in with flashing marquees, simple synth melodies, and crunchy 8-bit explosions.
—Simon Hill, Wired News, 26 June 2025
Anything that turns gaming into a safe social activity seems like a good idea to me.
—Sabrina Rojas Weiss, Parents, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for game
Cite this Entry
“Game.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/game. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
game
1 of 4 noun1
a
: activity engaged in for amusement
b
: fun entry 1 sense 1, sport
make game of a nervous player
2
a
: a procedure or strategy for gaining an end : tactic
b
: a line of work : profession
3
a
: a contest carried on following set rules for amusement, exercise, or reward
b
: a division of a larger contest
c
: the number of points necessary to win
d
: the manner of playing in a contest
4
a
: animals pursued or taken by hunting
b
: the flesh of game animals
c
: an object of ridicule or attack
—often used in the phrase fair game
game
3 of 4 adjective
gamer; gamest
1
a
: full of spirit or eagerness : determined
game to the end
b
: willing or ready to go
2
: of or relating to animals that are hunted
game laws
gamely
adverb
gameness
noun
game
4 of 4 adjective
: lame entry 1 sense 1b
a game leg
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