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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

In the Middle East, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s promised “economic D-Day” hasn’t triggered the global domino of pain investors feared it could have.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

“I truly felt I would be able to do all these shows in spite of the recent medical domino effect that has occurred,” Michaels wrote on Instagram.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

Campaigners warned that it would create a domino effect leading to other services being withdrawn.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

In 2006, home prices stopped rising at a rate that allowed overleveraged borrowers to refinance, which led to a domino effect and the crisis, he said.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026

We kids played among ourselves or circulated among the various groups, observing the domino game, snatching boiled chicken hearts or livers, carrying mysterious messages from the older boys to the older girls.

From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago

The landmark Domino Sugar factory was gut-renovated and now serves as offices for over 30 A.I. and tech firms.

From Slate ● Sep. 6, 2026

The new pizza, called the Domino, aims to draw diners that might otherwise go for burgers or chicken sandwiches, and who may not want to share.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

Just along the road from the pub, Rab Smith runs the record shop Domino Entertainment and is a former chairman of the town's retailers' association.

From BBC ● Mar. 23, 2025

“When I was going to school, I wanted to be Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, and I would wear a wig with two plaits and call myself Professor Longhair,” Henry told the AP.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 8, 2024

Manny the Domino King stood about ten feet away, panting.

From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older

Morris and his assistants have invested time in teaching players to play dominoes and spades.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

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

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

Near it is an incomplete set of animal-bone dominoes, carved from kitchen waste by Napoleonic prisoners of war with time to kill.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

Neighbors sat at plastic tables on the sidewalk, playing dominoes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 20, 2026

In Cuba, we see guests competing against Cubans in dominoes, and a line for sugar cubes, and Rufus cheers for his roots.

From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera

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

"It's an absolute mess, especially when there's wind and the barriers collapse like dominos, creating even more risk," he added.

From BBC ● Feb. 21, 2025

"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

We’re always having visitors who want either Papi or Mama for a game of dominos or to return Tupperware.

From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi

Related Words

• camouflage
• cloak
• veil