the name of the game
noun phrase
informal
: the basic goal or purpose of an activity
When all is said and done, in business, profit is the name of the game.
Examples of the name of the game in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Fishing for a compliment Going just by the standings, parity has been the name of the game so far.
—
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
That’s no way to live on this show, where the name of the game isn’t just conflict but conflict and resolution, which Dorit, like so many fired Housewives before her, doesn’t want.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Assembly required Versatility is the name of the game for the DWR Artek DL81 drop leaf dining table, which has caught the eye of many of our editors.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026
Vlogs were the name of the game at the time.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the name of the game
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.
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
That’s no way to live on this show, where the name of the game isn’t just conflict but conflict and resolution, which Dorit, like so many fired Housewives before her, doesn’t want.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Assembly required Versatility is the name of the game for the DWR Artek DL81 drop leaf dining table, which has caught the eye of many of our editors.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026
Vlogs were the name of the game at the time.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the name of the game
Cite this Entry
“The name of the game.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20name%20of%20the%20game. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
