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.
The stock market crash of 1929 was the first major domino in the developing economic disaster. Erik Sherman, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025 These are a few of the QB dominoes that must fall, and each one that does will affect what the Giants can do in the veteran QB market. Charlotte Carroll, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025 Behind me sat a set of dominoes for anyone ready to play bones. Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 24 Feb. 2025 Then, for 45 years, the U.S. fought the Soviet Union in the Cold War out of the same basic belief that our vital national interests demanded protecting allies and potential allies, because the next domino to fall could be us. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Domino.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domino. Accessed 5 Mar. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on domino

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