billiards

noun

bil·​liards ˈbi(l)-yərdz 

plural in form but singular in construction

: any of several games played on an oblong table by driving small balls against one another or into pockets with a cue

specifically : a game in which one scores by causing a cue ball to hit in succession two object balls compare pool entry 3

Did you know?

The word billiards refers to any of various games played on a cloth-topped, cushion-railed rectangular table by driving small, hard balls against one another or into pockets, with a long stick called a cue. Carom, or French billiards, is played with three balls, two white and one red, on a table without pockets. The object is to strike the white cue ball so that it hits the two object balls in succession, scoring a carom (one point). English billiards is also played with three balls, but on a pocketed table; it is scored in various ways. Snooker is another popular British billiards game. The principal billiards game in North America is pocket billiards, or pool. The Billiard Congress of America controls US tournament play, including the US Open Pockets Billiard Championship, regarded as the world championship.

Examples of billiards in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Building amenities include full-service concierge, library with fireplace, a billiards room, a fitness center with indoor pool and squash court, and a 12th-floor roof terrace with skyline views, fire pits, and outdoor kitchen. —Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Feb. 2023

Lee wanted to learn more about this sport of billiards. —The Indianapolis Star, 13 Dec. 2022

Thus Phelan would save the game of billiards and, sure, maybe a few elephants too. —Matt Simon, WIRED, 27 Oct. 2022

The night went on with dancing, ice cream from Jeni’s Ice Cream, some competitive rounds of billiards in the farmhouse, lots of chatting, and eventually, a spot of late-night swimming. —Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle French billard billiard cue, billiards, from bille wooden stick, log — more at billet

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing billiards

• pocket billiards

Kids Definition

billiards

noun

bil·​liards ˈbil-yərdz 

: a game played by driving solid balls with a cue into one another or into pockets on a large rectangular table