martingale
Americannoun
-
Also called standing martingale. part of the tack or harness of a horse, consisting of a strap that fastens to the girth, passes between the forelegs and through a loop in the neckstrap or hame, and fastens to the noseband: used to steady or hold down the horse's head.
-
Also called running martingale. a similar device that divides at the chest into two branches, each ending in a ring through which the reins pass.
-
Nautical. a stay for a jib boom or spike bowsprit.
-
a system of gambling in which the stakes are doubled or otherwise raised after each loss.
noun
-
a strap from the reins to the girth of a horse preventing it from carrying its head too high
-
any gambling system in which the stakes are raised, usually doubled, after each loss
-
Also called: martingale boom. nautical
-
a chain or cable running from a jib boom to the dolphin striker, serving to counteract strain
-
another term for dolphin striker
-
Etymology
Origin of martingale
1580–90; < Middle French: kind of hose fastened at the back, allegedly < Provençal martegalo, feminine of martegal, inhabitant of Martigue, town in SE France, though sense apparently influenced by Spanish almártaga harness < Arabic al-martaʿah the vein
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But according to Kochuba and others, Chau’s application of the Martingale betting system supercharged the risk.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 31, 2025
In post-Celtic Tiger Dublin, Paul, a struggling novelist, approaches Claude Martingale, a miserable French banker who works hundred-hour weeks.
From New York Times • Oct. 28, 2015
That’s the pitch, at least, as delivered to Claude Martingale, a young French analyst working for an investment bank in Dublin.
From Slate • Oct. 23, 2015
Saturday, Anderson was preparing for an event at the Chicago Marriott Schaumburg, 50 N. Martingale Rd., when he collapsed, said Schaumburg Police Sgt.
From Chicago Tribune • Oct. 23, 2011
But, let me see, my dear boy; John Martingale called yesterday while you were out.
From By Birth a Lady by Fenn, George Manville
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
