Checkmate Definition
chĕkmāt
checkmated, checkmates, checkmating
verb
checkmated, checkmates, checkmating
To move a piece placing (an opponent's king) under threat of being taken on the next move with no way of escape or defense possible.
American Heritage
To place in checkmate.
Webster's New World
To defeat completely; frustrate; thwart.
Webster's New World
(by extension) To place in a losing situation that has no escape.
Wiktionary
noun
checkmates
The move that wins the game by checking the opponent's king so that it cannot be protected.
Webster's New World
The condition of the king after such a move.
Webster's New World
Complete defeat, frustration, etc.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
interjection
Used to signify that one's opponent's king is in checkmate.
Webster's New World
(chess) Word called out by the victor when making the conclusive move.
Wiktionary
Origin of Checkmate
-
Middle English chekmat from Old French eschec mat from Arabic šāh māt the king is dead šāh king (from Persian shāh shah) māt died (from earlier māta to die mwt in Semitic roots)
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
From Middle English chekmat, from Old French eschec mat, from Arabic, from Persian شاه مات (šāh māt, literally “the king is stumped, or ambushed”).
From Wiktionary
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to checkmate using the buttons below.