domino

noun

dom·​i·​no ˈdä-mə-ˌnō How to pronounce domino (audio)
plural dominoes or dominos
1
a(1)
: a long loose hooded cloak usually worn with a half mask as a masquerade costume
(2)
: a half mask worn over the eyes with a masquerade costume
b
: a person wearing a domino
2
a
: a flat rectangular block (as of wood or plastic) whose face is divided into two equal parts that are blank or bear usually from one to six dots arranged as on dice faces
b
dominoes or dominos plural in form but usually singular in construction : any of several games played with a set of usually 28 dominoes
3
: a member of a group (as of nations) expected to behave in accordance with the domino theory

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The History of Domino

The origin of dominoes is rather obscure, and that is as true of the word as it is of the game. Both appeared in France shortly after 1750. In both English and French, domino earlier denoted a long hooded cloak worn together with a mask during carnival season or at a masquerade. It is an even earlier sense, however, that may link the garment with the playing piece. In French, domino originally referred to a cape worn by a priest over his surplice. Domino pieces were once made with ebony blacks and ivory faces, and it has been suggested that the playing piece brought to mind the priest’s black domino contrasting with the white surplice.

Examples of domino in a Sentence

Dominoes is one of my favorite games.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
My frail-as-porcelain glutes — the cluster of tissue from hip to thigh tasked with keeping the body upright and on occasion propelling it forward — were causing a domino chain of damage, and had most likely been doing so for some time. Amy X. Wang, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025 After Zuckerberg's embrace of Trump and Trumpism, Silicon Valley is holding its breath to see whether a whole row of tech dominoes is about to fall in the same direction. Scott Rosenberg, Axios, 11 Jan. 2025 That’s the reality of baseball in January, when big free-agent dominoes are left to fall even as spring training begins peeking over the horizon. Cody Stavenhagen, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025 Like one domino affecting a whole line of dominoes falling, so can your actions as an ally. Follow me on LinkedIn. Julie Kratz, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for domino 

Word History

Etymology

French, probably from Latin (in the ritual formula benedicamus Domino let us bless the Lord)

First Known Use

circa 1694, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of domino was circa 1694

Dictionary Entries Near domino

Cite this Entry

“Domino.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domino. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

domino

noun
dom·​i·​no ˈdäm-ə-ˌnō How to pronounce domino (audio)
plural dominoes or dominos
1
: a long loose hooded cloak usually worn with a half mask as a masquerade costume
2
a
: a flat rectangular block whose face is divided into two equal parts that are blank or bear dots
b
plural : any of several games played with dominoes
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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