sudoku

noun

su·​do·​ku sü-ˈdō-kü 

: a puzzle in which missing numbers are to be filled into a 9 by 9 grid of squares which are subdivided into 3 by 3 boxes so that every row, every column, and every box contains the numbers 1 through 9

Examples of sudoku in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While most people play sudoku by themselves, these codes are decidedly communal. —Elie Levine, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

The study from Sudoku Bliss — which says one of the best ways to fill the long, arduous hours waiting in line is to play sudoku — found that Charlotte has the worst DMVs in the nation. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2025

Irregular sudoku features unusual shapes and jigsaw puzzle-like connections. —Elie Levine, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

Note that approximating a solution or solving a small instance (most of us can solve a 9 × 9 sudoku) doesn't suffice. —Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 22 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Japanese sūdoku, short for sūji wa dokushin ni kagiru "the numerals must remain single" (i.e., the digits can occur only once)

First Known Use

2000, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sudoku

• amadou
• avenue
• ballyhoo
• baraboo
• barbecue
• barbeque
• bugaboo
• cabildo
• caribou
• cockatoo
• detinue
• devalue

Kids Definition

sudoku

noun

su·​do·​ku

sü-ˈdō-kü

: a puzzle in which several numbers are to be filled into a 9x9 grid of squares so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9

Etymology

from Japanese sūdoku, short for sūji wa dokushin ni kagiru "the numbers must remain single" (i.e., the digits can occur only once)