poker

1 of 2

noun (1)

pok·​er ˈpō-kər 

: one that pokes

especially : a metal rod for stirring a fire

poker

2 of 2

noun (2)

po·​ker ˈpō-kər 

: any of several card games in which a player bets that the value of their own hand is greater than that of the hands held by others, in which each subsequent player must either equal or raise the bet or drop out, and in which the player holding the highest hand at the end of the betting wins the pot

Illustration of poker

• 1 five of a kind
• 2 royal flush
• 3 straight flush
• 4 four of a kind
• 5 full house
• 6 flush
• 7 straight
• 8 three of a kind
• 9 two pair
• 10 one pair

Examples of poker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Also, everyone seems to get along quite well, thanks in part to a weekly poker game that doubles as a bonding experience. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026

Born out of the study of games like chess or poker, game theory is used to help understand complex economic and geopolitical issues, where there are individual actors thinking rationally about what’s best for them. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

A lot of the play’s original humor came from the loose talk at the poker games held in Oscar’s (later Oscar’s and Felix’s) apartment. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026

The outdoor fireplace also includes a log poker for easy, convenient, and safe fire maintenance. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

probably modification of French poque, a card game similar to poker

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1534, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1827, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing poker

• draw poker
• poker face
• red-hot poker
• straight poker
• strip poker
• stud poker

Rhymes for poker

• broker
• choker
• coker
• croaker
• joker
• ochre
• smoker
• mediocre
• pawnbroker
• stockbroker

Kids Definition

poker

1 of 2 noun

pok·​er ˈpō-kər 

: one that pokes

especially : a metal rod for stirring a fire

poker

2 of 2 noun

po·​ker ˈpō-kər 

: a card game in which a player bets on the value of his or her hand