domino

noun

dom·​i·​no ˈdä-mə-ˌnō 

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

Did you know?

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

Casting Gascón shifted Montel’s initial ideas, but set off a chain of dominos in a good way. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2024

The company’s decline was just the first domino in a string of setbacks. —Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 21 Oct. 2024

Whatever the result of this investigation is could lead to another domino falling for the former Making The Band star who is already on the hot seat. —Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 15 Oct. 2024

This 35th edition of Cartoon Forum will also host a meeting between 10 additional broadcasters from Central and Eastern Europe meant to promote further collaborations and to create a more agile domino market, where if one broadcaster acquires a title, others might quickly follow suit. —Ben Croll, Variety, 18 Sep. 2024

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)

Phrases Containing domino

• domino effect
• domino theory

Kids Definition

domino

noun

dom·​i·​no ˈdäm-ə-ˌnō 

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