Backgammon

Pronunciation

• enPR: ʹbākgāmōn, IPA: /ˈbæk.ɡæm.É™n/

Origin

Probably from back + Middle English, Old English gamen ("amusement")

Noun

1. A board game for two players in which each has 15 stones which move between 24 triangular points according to the roll of a pair of dice; the object is to move all of one's pieces around, and bear them off the board.
2. (backgammon) A victory in the game when the loser has not borne off a stone, and still has one or more stones in the winner's inner home row or on the bar.

Related terms

• gammon

Full definition of backgammon

Verb

1. To win at a backgammon game with the opponent having one or more pieces in the winner’s inner home row or on the bar.----