billiards

[ bil-yerdz ]

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. Compare pool ²( def 1 ).

billiards

/ 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

Other Words From

• billiard·ist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of billiards¹

First recorded in 1585–95; plural of billiard

Word History and Origins

Origin of billiards¹

C16: from Old French billard curved stick, from Old French bille log; see billet ²

Example Sentences

Berry notes that they “spared no expense” reimagining the hundred-year-old building that once played host to billiards, bowling, live jazz, and most recently, a Matchbox pizza.

From Washington Blade

Landon complained that the publication of the naked billiards photos had put “a real dampener” on the lads’ trip to Nevada.

From The Daily Beast

It all came to a head, of course, with the 2012 photos which showed him playing billiards, naked, in a Las Vegas hotel room.

From The Daily Beast

According to Huth’s claim, the three of them played billiards and Cosby also gave them alcohol, before later bringing them to the Playboy Mansion.

From Time

After discovering he had been hacked, Alfonsi, the billiards company owner, reached out to Facebook for help securing his account.

From ProPublica

It is Harry's first return to the U.S. since being pictured naked during a game of strip billiards in a Las Vegas hotel.

From The Daily Beast

It is his first return to the US since being pictured naked during a game of strip billiards in a Las Vegas hotel.

From The Daily Beast

Irizarry opened Bomba Billiards 10 months ago, and now says she fears she may never be able to reopen.

From The Daily Beast

He hung around artists, organized exhibitions, and bought and ran a billiards hall and bar.

From The Daily Beast

One game that won't be played at the paralympics - strip billiards.

From The Daily Beast

Their generosity did not suffice for his dissipations, his cafe bills and his unbridled taste for billiards.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides this, there's billiards and gambling for the gentlemen, a little dancing for the gals, and scandle for the dowygers.

From Project Gutenberg

After one of my remonstrances Mr. Bradlaugh invited me to play a game of billiards.

From Project Gutenberg

For other Captains not of a poetical turn, there are billiards, coffee-houses, and plenty of excellent beer and other liquor.

From Project Gutenberg

Instead of playing billiards, however, Napoleon asked her to read to him from a book that he had lately received from England.

From Project Gutenberg