board game

noun

plural board games
: a game (such as checkers, chess, or backgammon) played by placing or moving pieces on a board

Examples of board game in a Sentence

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.
It was even turned into a board game. — Maddie Stone, ProPublica, 25 June 2026 This summer, gather friends and family for a fun board game night. — ABC News, 24 June 2026 This board game goes beyond just the board, for engaging 3D play. — Anja Webb, Parents, 24 June 2026 From vintage wicker baskets and colorful quilts to board games and coolers, thrift stores offer affordable items to create a memorable picnic. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for board game

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of board game was in 1854

Rhymes for board game

See All Rhymes for board game

Browse Nearby Words

board foot
board game
board hole
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Board game.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/board%20game. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

board game

noun
: a game of strategy (as chess, checkers, or backgammon) played by moving pieces on a board

More from Merriam-Webster on board game

Nglish: Translation of board game for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about board game

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All