Checkmate

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈt͡ʃɛkmeɪt/
• Rhymes: -eɪt

Origin

From Middle English chekmat, from Old French eschec mat, from Arabic, from Persian شاه مات.

Full definition of checkmate

Interjection

1. (chess) Word called out by the victor when making the conclusive move.

Synonyms

• (chess) mate

Noun

1. The conclusive victory in a game of chess that occurs when an opponent's king is threatened with unavoidable capture.
2. (figuratively, by extension) Any losing situation with no escape; utter defeat.

Related terms

• stalemate

Verb

1. (transitive, chess) To put the king of an opponent into checkmate.That jerk checkmated me in four moves!
2. (transitive, by extension) To place in a losing situation that has no escape.