gaming

noun

gam·​ing ˈgā-miŋ 

1

: the practice or activity of playing games for stakes : gambling

After a six-decade absence, casino gaming makes its return next month to this Southern Indiana valley, once famous for luxury resorts that attracted the nation's elite.

—Michael Rubino

In the same way, casino owners almost never refer to "gambling," which brings to mind damp basements and dice, but always "gaming," which suggests Whist or Scrabble enjoyed in front of a crackling fireplace.

—Wayne Curtis

—often used before another noun

the gaming industry

2

: the practice or activity of playing games (such as board games, card games, or video games)

online/mobile/PC gaming

When most people think of computer gaming, they envision some things that aren't exactly politically correct. Things like blazing lasers, spattering blood and beheaded aliens. However, Internet gaming really does offer something for everyone.

—Kim Komando

—often used before another noun

You can get curved gaming monitors too, for added immersion in certain games.

—Jon Martindale

After looking through the gaming options, we decided on Quick Draw—a game that gives one participant a word to draw, while the other callers try to guess what the word is.

—Becca Miller

Examples of gaming in a Sentence

He does a lot of gaming online.

Recent Examples on the Web

The technology relies on advancements in gaming software that allow crews to transform a wall of LED screens into fantastical and interactive backdrops. —Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025

We are inspired by a business model that has proven successful in the mobile world, particularly in mobile gaming, to introduce a micro-payment system, or in-app, for the consumption of our TV programs, especially the most popular ones. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 24 June 2025

Independent live venues, festivals and promoters contributed $86.2 billion directly to the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024, more than the U.S. beer, gaming and airline industries. —Cathy Applefeld Olson, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

All students who love gaming will also be able to join the program for a cost, opting to come a couple of times a week or daily after school. —Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

game entry 1 or game entry 3 + -ing entry 1

First Known Use

1501, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gaming

• tabletop gaming

Rhymes for gaming

• aiming
• blaming
• claiming
• flaming
• framing
• laming
• maiming
• naming
• shaming
• taming
• declaiming
• defaming

Kids Definition

gaming

noun

gam·​ing

ˈgā-miŋ

1

: the practice of gambling

2

: the acting out of a situation (as war) for training or testing

3

: the playing of video games