conker

American  

[kong-ker, kawng-] / ˈkɒŋ kər, ˈkɔŋ- /

noun

British Informal.

1. a horse chestnut.

2. the hollowed-out shell of a horse chestnut.

3. conkers, a game in which a child swings a horse chestnut on a string in an attempt to break that of another player.

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conker British  

/ ˈkɒŋkə /

noun

1. an informal name for horse chestnut

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Etymology

Origin of conker

1840–50; probably originally conquer; compare conquering a game played with snail shells (the name of the game presumably later transferred to the playing pieces)

Example Sentences

And they were needed, with one man disqualified for trying to smuggle a non-conforming conker in.

From Barron's • Oct. 17, 2025

The single combat involves swinging a conker -- a hardened horse chestnut -- on a string at your opponent's nut with murderous venom, until one is smashed to pieces.

From Barron's • Oct. 17, 2025

A man accused of using a conker made of steel to win a competition "achieved his title fairly", an investigation concluded.

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2024

The championship, which raises money for charities, culminates with the crowning of winners dubbed the conker king and queen.

From BBC • Oct. 8, 2023

It was lovely being high up there in that conker tree, all alone with the pale young leaves coming out everywhere around me.

From "The Witches" by Roald Dahl