billiards

American  

[bil-yerdz] / ˈbɪl yərdz /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. any of several games played with hard balls of ivory or a similar material that are driven with a cue on a cloth-covered table enclosed by a raised rim of rubber, especially a game played with a cue ball and two object balls on a table without pockets.

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billiards British  

/ ˈbɪljədz /

noun

1. any of various games in which long cues are used to drive balls now made of composition or plastic. It is played on a rectangular table covered with a smooth tight-fitting cloth and having raised cushioned edges

2. a version of this, played on a rectangular table having six pockets let into the corners and the two longer sides. Points are scored by striking one of three balls with the cue to contact the other two or one of the two Compare pool 2 snooker

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• billiardist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of billiards

First recorded in 1585–95; plural of billiard

Explanation

Billiards is a table game in which players try to knock balls into pockets with a long stick. The game known as "pool" is considered to be one type of billiards. When you challenge a friend to a game of billiards, you'll take turns tapping hard balls with the end of a cue stick. These balls roll across a cloth-covered table and knock against other balls. The goal of the game is to get certain balls into certain pockets. Billiards is said to have evolved from lawn games like croquet, and the word itself, originally referring to the stick itself, comes from the French bille, or "stick."

Example Sentences

It is estimated that some 60 million people play billiards in China ever year, in around 300,000 halls like the one in Xi'an.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

The Entertainment Room by Studio Joshua features statement lighting by Los Angeles designer Jason Koharik, an 11 Ravens custom billiards table and a Champagne cooler built into the marble bar.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

Through social media, there are groups for just about everything: Young expats, families, veterans, billiards, pickleball and hikers, to name a few.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

Customers will be able to digitally place cash bets at the arcades, where people play games like Skee-Ball, billiards and basketball shootouts.

From New York Times • May 2, 2024

As the candles guttered out and were replaced with new, Madam and Lady Seymour retired to their bedchambers and Lockton’s business companions left to play billiards at the King’s Head tavern.

From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson