domino
noun
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
David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2025
Those four might be the next big dominoes that have to fall before free-agent activity picks back up across the league.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
That makes the odds better than even that Chicago ultimately will lose another corporate headquarters once the dominoes fall.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2025
Despite the heavy news of Combs' fate and the confines behind bars, Combs and Mangione have access to the same holiday recreation as every other federal inmate: Spades card games, dominos, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and a soccer match in the small rec yard.
—Danielle Bacher, People.com, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for domino
Cite this Entry
“Domino.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domino. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
domino
noun
Share