backgammon

American  

[bak-gam-uhn, bak-gam-] / ˈbækˌgæm ən, ˌbækˈgæm- /

noun

1. a game for two persons played on a board having two tables or parts, each marked with 12 points, and with both players having 15 pieces that are moved in accordance with throws of the dice.

2. a victory at this game, especially one resulting in a tripled score.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to defeat at backgammon, especially to win a triple score over.

backgammon British  

/ bækˈɡæmən, ˈbækˌɡæmən /

noun

1. a game for two people played on a board with pieces moved according to throws of the dice

2. the most complete form of win in this game

---

Etymology

Origin of backgammon

First recorded in 1635–45; back ² + gammon ¹

Example Sentences

Colonists played chess, checkers, dominoes and backgammon, among other diversions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

“I’d play in the park, go for boat rides, take naps. There was this whole area on the 7th Street side where older people played shuffleboard, backgammon, gin, all kinds of card games.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 24, 2024

Swieskowski had been introduced to backgammon the previous summer and had the zeal of a convert; growing up, Hodde played with her family on ski trips.

From New York Times • Mar. 8, 2024

In anticipation of meeting the three-time Grammy winner, the mum-of-two created a backgammon board with the hope of giving it to her.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2023

Dartboards without darts hang alongside backgammon games suspended in mid-play.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern