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
see also:
Examples of game in a Sentence
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
Recent Examples on the Web
All game was fair game, and eating wild things was both luxurious and banal—throughout the country the consumption of wild animals was entirely typical.
—
Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
In the works are a signature fine dining Italian restaurant, and a subterranean bar with bowling lanes, games, and private karaoke rooms.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2026
Austin found the back of the net — her sixth point of the game, and fifth in the fourth quarter alone — with just two seconds to spare to force overtime.
—Anya Armentrout, Twin Cities, 10 June 2026
At the Euros two years ago, the Turkey game was interrupted by one pitch invader after another trying to get a selfie with him.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for game
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
In the works are a signature fine dining Italian restaurant, and a subterranean bar with bowling lanes, games, and private karaoke rooms.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2026
Austin found the back of the net — her sixth point of the game, and fifth in the fourth quarter alone — with just two seconds to spare to force overtime.
—Anya Armentrout, Twin Cities, 10 June 2026
At the Euros two years ago, the Turkey game was interrupted by one pitch invader after another trying to get a selfie with him.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for game
Cite this Entry
“Game.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/game. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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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