Definition of game
1 a (1)
: activity engaged in for diversion or amusement : play
(2)
: the equipment for a game
2 a
: a procedure or strategy for gaining an end : tactic
b
: an illegal or shady scheme or maneuver : racket
3 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 number of points necessary to win
(4)
: points scored in certain card games (as in all fours) by a player whose cards count up the highest
(5)
: the manner of playing in a contest
(6)
: the set of rules governing a game
(7)
: a particular aspect or phase of play in a game or sport
- a football team's kicking game
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
- got into aviation early in the game
(3)
: area of expertise : specialty 3
- comedy is not my game
4 a (1)
: animals under pursuit or taken in hunting;
especially
: wild animals hunted for sport or food
(2)
: the flesh of game animals
c
: a target or object especially of ridicule or attack
—often used in the phrase fair game
