musical chairs

noun

plural in form but singular in construction
: a game in which players march to music around a row of chairs numbering one less than the players and scramble for seats when the music stops
also : a situation or series of events suggesting the game of musical chairs (as in rapid change or confusing activity)

Examples of musical chairs in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Politics in Hialeah often plays out like a game of musical chairs. Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 13 May 2025 The musical chairs come as The Voice will have a slightly different pattern in terms of scheduling for its fall season. Peter White, Deadline, 12 May 2025 The Knights experienced a chaotic situation, resembling a game of musical chairs, as four players started at quarterback without any of them being injured. Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025 Every now and then, that rogue colleague’s seating choice can set off a game of musical chairs. Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for musical chairs

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of musical chairs was in 1877

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Musical chairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/musical%20chairs. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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