musical chairs

noun

plural in form but singular in construction
: a game in which players march to music around a row of chairs numbering one less than the players and scramble for seats when the music stops
also : a situation or series of events suggesting the game of musical chairs (as in rapid change or confusing activity)

Examples of musical chairs in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Amid the high-stakes game of musical chairs that followed Republican victories in 2024, all eyes were on her and Florida’s open Senate seat. Dan Sullivan, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025 In the musical chairs world of Las Vegas nightclubs, it was also announced this week that Deadmau5 would return to Wynn, and Odeza will perform at the resort’s nightclub and dayclub XS and Encore Beach Club in 2025. Melinda Sheckells, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025 Now, in another time of transition for VC – from partners playing musical chairs with firms to others joining the White House – the Midas List returns for its 24th year. Alex Konrad, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025 Offline, luxury fashion went through a round of musical chairs at the top, the scale of which has not been seen in decades and whose effects will be felt most sharply in 2025. Rosana Lai, Glamour, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for musical chairs 

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of musical chairs was in 1877

Dictionary Entries Near musical chairs

Cite this Entry

“Musical chairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/musical%20chairs. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

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