bingo

1 of 2

interjection

bin·​go ˈbiŋ-(ˌ)gō 

1

—used to announce an unexpected event or instantaneous result

2

—used to announce a winning position in bingo

3

—used to express endorsement of a correct assertion

bingo

2 of 2

noun

variants or less commonly Bingo

plural bingos also Bingos

: a game of chance played with cards having numbered squares corresponding to numbers drawn at random (as by a game host or computer program) and won by covering five such squares in a row

enjoys playing bingo

—often used before another noun

When I worked at the Village Nursing Home, one of my favorite responsibilities … was calling the weekly bingo games.

—Karen Duffy

also : a social gathering at which bingo is played

About 50% of a volunteer fire department's budget comes from fundraising activities like bingos, hall rentals and fish fries …

—Hallie Lauer

see also bingo card

Examples of bingo in a Sentence

Noun

She plays bingo twice a week.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Men’s Club for its annual pasta bingo and first night candle lighting. —Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 6 Dec. 2024

The bingo was about to begin, but Lucienne Sagaie and Lucie Tiatous were struggling to keep their minds on the game. —Lorraine Mallinder, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Nov. 2024

The time has come for another round of USA TODAY debate bingo, this time for the vice presidential debate. —Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2024

Tonight's debate brings another round of debate bingo and drinking games. —Kelly Tyko, Axios, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Interjection

alteration of bing (interjection suggestive of a ringing sound)

First Known Use

Interjection

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1923, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bingo

• bingo card
• on one's bingo card

Kids Definition

bingo

noun

bin·​go

ˈbiŋ-ˌgō

: a game in which players match numbered squares on a card with numbers called out until someone wins by matching certain squares