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• domino
  domino

  noun

  a flat, thumbsized, rectangular block, the face of which is divided into two parts, each either blank or bearing from one to six pips or dots: 28 such pieces form a complete set.
• Domino
  Domino

  noun

  Antoine Fats, 1928–2017, U.S. rhythm-and-blues pianist, singer, and composer.

domino

¹ American  

[dom-uh-noh] / ˈdɒm əˌnoʊ /

noun

• dominoes
  plural

1. a flat, thumbsized, rectangular block, the face of which is divided into two parts, each either blank or bearing from one to six pips or dots: 28 such pieces form a complete set.

2. (used with a singular verb) dominoes, any of various games played with such pieces, usually by matching the ends of pieces and laying the dominoes down in lines and angular patterns.

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domino ² American  

[dom-uh-noh] / ˈdɒm əˌnoʊ /

noun

• dominoes,
  plural
• dominos
  plural

1. a large, hooded cloak with a mask covering the eyes, worn at masquerades.

2. the mask.

3. a person wearing such dress.

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Domino ³ American  

[dom-uh-noh] / ˈdɒm əˌnoʊ /

noun

1. Antoine Fats, 1928–2017, U.S. rhythm-and-blues pianist, singer, and composer.

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domino ¹ British  

/ ˈdɒmɪˌnəʊ /

noun

1. a small rectangular block used in dominoes, divided on one side into two equal areas, each of which is either blank or marked with from one to six dots

2. (modifier) exhibiting the domino effect

   a domino pattern of takeovers

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domino ² British  

/ ˈdɒmɪˌnəʊ /

noun

1. a large hooded cloak worn with an eye mask at a masquerade

2. the eye mask worn with such a cloak

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Domino ³ British  

/ ˈdɒmɪnəʊ /

noun

1. Fats. real name Antoine Domino born 1928, US rhythm-and-blues and rock-and-roll pianist, singer, and songwriter. His singles include "Ain't that a Shame" (1955) and "Blueberry Hill" (1956)

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• dominoes
  plural
• dominos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of domino¹

First recorded in 1710–20; perhaps special use of domino ²

Origin of domino²

First recorded in 1710–20; from Italian: “hood and mask costume,” from Medieval Latin or Middle French: “black hood worn by priests in winter”; obscurely akin to Latin dominus “lord, master”

Explanation

A domino is a small rectangular block used in the game dominoes. Each block has anywhere from 0 to 6 dots. A domino is a small, black rectangular game piece with white dots. In the game called dominoes, sides of the dominoes with equal numbers are matched. Dominoes are also stood up to create elaborate patterns that look pretty impressive when they’re knocked down. If you set them up right, knocking down the first domino will knock down hundreds and even thousands of others. This use of dominoes inspired the domino effect, when one action inevitably causes others.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

domino Domino dominoes dominos

Once that funding was committed, “it was just a domino effect,” Gipson said, helping attract additional public and private investment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

The final theme is buy-now-pay-later companies, unloved and branded by some as “the next domino to fall,” alongside private credit.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 25, 2026

Speaking to the social club, it became apparent John was a regular - on one occasion being communicative enough to sell domino cards to another person, all captured on CCTV.

From BBC ● May 16, 2026

Thomas worries about the domino effect this oil crunch will have on everything else he buys, as the rising cost of transport pushes up the prices of everyday goods like food and clothing.

From Barron's ● May 2, 2026

Two empty chairs sat at the corners of the table—one for Lázaro and one for Papa Acevedo, both longtime domino warriors, now departed.

From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older

The chain currently sells a small pizza, but the Domino boosts the quantity of toppings and comes with a savory Parmesan crust, Jordan said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

“I like the Fats Domino rhythm, but I play my own chords and my own style.”

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 8, 2024

Domino reactions occur when the transformation of one chemical group stimulates the reaction of another attached group, or other molecule, leading to a rapid knock-on effect through the system like a row of falling dominoes.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 9, 2024

Like millions, Domino Day is a regular user of dating apps.

From BBC ● Dec. 23, 2023

According to the Domino Theory, which dominated American foreign policy during the Cold War, countries were like dominos standing on end.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

"When emergency surgery goes, other dominoes fall following that," she said.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

"It was a very warm place," says Miranda Beazer, its former owner, describing how people used to gather there to play dominoes, or to relax after church on Sundays.

From BBC ● May 20, 2026

The exiles, who hang paintings of their activist heroes at Chagos Refugees Group headquarters in Pointe aux Sables and slap down dominoes outside of the Chagos Boutique in Tombeau Bay, have tried to fight back.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 28, 2026

Imagine setting up an elaborate chain of dominoes, where each piece must strike the next in perfect sequence to create a satisfying final outcome.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 6, 2026

That night, while he played dominoes with Aureliano, he ordered the sergeant to break the seal in order to count the votes.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Objects like dominos and leaves, which figure into the history of Caribbean imperialism, are fashioned from steel and wood.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 23, 2026

"We hope, via the model, we can simulate this chain reaction to understand how to stop it, like a hand in between the dominos tiles," says Sansavini.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2023

All-time temperature records fell like dominos throughout the region.

From Scientific American ● Jul. 11, 2023

The club used to have gaming machines, a pool table and a dart board but the big thing, John said, was dominos.

From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2023

Manny and the other old guys who played dominos in the lot had immediately declared war on it.

From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older

Related Words

• camouflage
• cloak
• veil