noun
- any form of play or way of playing; amusement; recreation; sport; frolic; play
- any specific contest, engagement, amusement, computer simulation, or sport involving physical or mental competition under specific rules, as football, chess, or war games
- a single contest in such a competition: to win two out of three games
- Tennis a subdivision of a set (), consisting of a series of at least four consecutive serves by a single player
- a subdivision of any of certain other contests
- the number of points required for winning: the game is 25
- the score at any given point in a competition: at the half the game was 7 to 6
- that which is gained by winning; victory; win
- a set of equipment for a competitive amusement: to sell toys and games
- a way or quality of playing in competition: to play a good game
- any test of skill, courage, or endurance: the game of life
- a project; scheme; plan: to see through another's game
- wild birds or animals hunted for sport or for use as food
- the flesh of such creatures used as food
- fair game (sense )
- Informal a business or vocation, esp. one with an element of risk: the stock-market game
Origin:
ME < OE gamen, akin to OFris game, OHG gaman < ? IE base *gwhemb-, to leap merrily
intransitive verb gamed, gaming
to play cards, etc. for stakes; gamble