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 a large drinking cup or jug for beer, ale, etc., originally made of leather coated externally with tar.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

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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

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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

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blackjack ³ British  

/ ˈblækˌdʒæk /

noun

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

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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

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blackjack ⁵ British  

/ ˈblækˌdʒæk /

noun

1. a tarred leather tankard or jug

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Etymology

Origin of blackjack

First recorded in 1505–15; black + jack ¹

Example Sentences

The best story in “Letters” is the first, in which Ada Blackjack, a young Inupiat woman, is the sole survivor of an ill-fated Arctic expedition begun in 1921.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

Blackjack winners employ a timeless set of strategies: Always assume the dealer’s down card is 10.

From Salon • Jan. 29, 2025

The plant has received state orders to produce a modernized version of the Tu-160 bomber that first flew in the 1980s and was code-named Blackjack by NATO.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 22, 2024

In a sign of its rapidly evolving mission, the Marine Corps is fielding its first MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft and retiring its fleet of RQ-21 Blackjack drones.

From Washington Times • Sep. 9, 2021

She flung her cloak in front of her and fell on the explosive arrow, determined to shield Blackjack and the other pegasi and hopefully protect the mortals sleeping belowdecks.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan