Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

kails

plural noun
\ˈkāəlz\

Definition of kails 

British, dialectal

1 : a set of bone or wooden pins used in playing ninepins

2 usually singular in construction : a game played with kails

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for kails

Middle English kayles; akin to Middle Dutch kegel cone, ninepin, Old High German kegil stake, peg, Old Norse kaggi keg

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about kails

Dictionary Entries near kails

kaikara

kaikawaka

kail

kails

Kailua

kailyard

kailyarder

Statistics for kails

Look-up Popularity

Comments on kails

What made you want to look up kails? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

de rigueur

required by fashion, etiquette, or custom

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz

  • scrabble-tiles-that-read-scrabble-quiz
  • Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games