tic-tac-toe

noun

ˌtik-ˌtak-ˈtō How to pronounce tic-tac-toe (audio)
variants or tick-tack-toe
: a game in which two players alternately put Xs and Os in compartments of a figure formed by two vertical lines crossing two horizontal lines and each tries to get a row of three Xs or three Os before the opponent does

Examples of tic-tac-toe 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.
First goal, the Sharks turn it over in their end and allow a tic-tac-toe goal to Filip Forsberg. — Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2026 The top unit had its beautiful tic-tac-toe goal in the first, then had another strong power play in the second that didn’t result in a goal. — Michael Russo, New York Times, 6 May 2026 That allowed Kempe, Panarin and Byfield to connect on a tic-tac-toe play to secure a gigantic second point. — Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026 Lowry scored on a tic-tac-toe passing play from Perfetti and Lowry 13 minutes in that Garand had little chance of preventing. — CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tic-tac-toe

Word History

Etymology

tic-tac-toe, former game in which players with eyes shut brought a pencil down on a slate marked with numbers and scored the number hit

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tic-tac-toe was in 1892

Rhymes for tic-tac-toe

See All Rhymes for tic-tac-toe

Browse Nearby Words

ticky-tacky
tic-tac-toe
ticul
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tic-tac-toe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tic-tac-toe. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tic-tac-toe

noun
variants or tick-tack-toe
ˌtik-ˌtak-ˈtō
: a game in which two players by turns put crosses and zeros in compartments of a figure formed by two vertical lines crossing two horizontal lines and each tries to get a row of three crosses or three zeros before the opponent does
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