hangman

[hang-muhn, hang-man]

noun

plural

hangmen 

1. a person who hangs criminals who are condemned to death; public executioner.

2. a word game in which one player selects a word that the other player must guess by supplying each of its letters: for each incorrect guess a part of a stick figure of a man who has been hanged is drawn.

hangman

/ ˈhæŋmən /

noun

1. an official who carries out a sentence of hanging on condemned criminals

Other Word Forms

• underhangman noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hangman¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; hang, man

Example Sentences

When Merv Griffin created “Wheel of Fortune” in 1975 as television’s answer to hangman, it spent its early years on ratings life support.

From New York Times

Actually it was a little bit like a stick figure, like in hangman, but with more details.

From Literature

After defying death in stormy seas and on a cold island, Bulkeley and his mates faced the possible threat of the hangman’s noose.

From Seattle Times

Last year’s attacks in Maryland included spray-painted hangmen and swastikas along public hiking trails, the words “Jews not welcome” scrawled across the entrance sign of a high school, and hateful words directed at Jewish students.

From Washington Post

Exxon Mobil Corp. violated federal law for failing to take sufficient action as five hangman’s nooses were displayed at its facility in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the U.S. government said in a lawsuit.

From Seattle Times