blackjack

American  

[blak-jak] / ˈblækˌdʒæk /

noun

1. Cards.

   1. Also called twenty-one.  a gambling game in which the object is to obtain from the dealer cards whose values add up to, or close to, 21 but do not exceed it.

   2. a variety of this game in which any player can become dealer.

   3. Also called natural.  (in the game of blackjack) an ace together with a ten or a face card as the first two cards dealt.

2. a short, leather-covered club, consisting of a heavy head on a flexible handle, used as a weapon.

3. black flag.

4. a small oak, Quercus marilandica, of the eastern United States, having a nearly black bark and a wood of little value except for fuel.

5. a large drinking cup or jug for beer, ale, etc., originally made of leather coated externally with tar.

6. caramel or burnt sugar for coloring spirits, vinegar, coffee, etc.

7. Mineralogy. a dark, iron-rich variety of sphalerite.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to strike or beat with a blackjack.

2. to compel by threat.

blackjack ¹ British  

/ ˈblækˌdʒæk /

noun

1. a truncheon of leather-covered lead with a flexible shaft

---

verb

1. (tr) to hit with or as if with a blackjack

2. (tr) to compel (a person) by threats

blackjack ² British  

/ ˈblækˌdʒæk /

noun

1. pontoon or any of various similar card games

2. the ace of spades

---

blackjack ³ British  

/ ˈblækˌdʒæk /

noun

1. a dark iron-rich variety of the mineral sphalerite

---

blackjack ⁴ British  

/ ˈblækˌdʒæk /

noun

1. Also called: blackjack oak.  a small oak tree, Quercus marilandica , of the southeastern US, with blackish bark and fan-shaped leaves

---

blackjack ⁵ British  

/ ˈblækˌdʒæk /

noun

1. a tarred leather tankard or jug

---

Etymology

Origin of blackjack

First recorded in 1505–15; black + jack ¹

Example Sentences

California’s new regulations, to be enacted in April, are meant to end a legal interpretation that allowed card clubs to offer blackjack and other banked games where players play against the house.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

Authorities want to close a legal loophole that allowed card clubs to offer blackjack and other banked games in which players play against the house.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

This is a job where you rent your first home, not buy, and don’t even bother to get a couch or hang your triptych of dogs playing blackjack on the wall.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

None of the new blackjack tables will be in Manhattan after earlier ideas to put casinos in the middle of Times Square or atop Saks Fifth Avenue’s flagship store were dropped.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 1, 2025

While you and Coby play blackjack, you notice The Twins taunting some poor kid, jabbing the air with their red boxing gloves.

From "Booked" by Kwame Alexander