sudoku

American  

[soo-doh-koo] / sʊˈdoʊ ku /

noun

1. a puzzle printed on a square grid of nine large squares each subdivided into nine smaller squares, the object of which is to fill in each of the 81 squares so that each column, row, and large square contains every number from 1 to 9.

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sudoku British  

/ səˈdəʊkuː /

noun

1. a type of puzzle in which numbers must be arranɡed within a ɡrid contaninɡ several internal squares so that no number is repeated in the same row, column, or internal square

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Etymology

Origin of sudoku

2000–05; < Japanese sū- (< sūji number) + -doku (< dokushin being single)

Example Sentences

Waiting for a concert to begin, she’ll chip away at crosswords, sudoku grids and the New York Times' Spelling Bee to keep her nerves at bay.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2024

Michael Bennet of Colorado had a thick book on U.S. engagement with Asia on his desk while his Colorado colleague John Hickenlooper had what appeared to be a sudoku puzzle clipped out of a newspaper.

From Slate • Apr. 19, 2024

For her, it’s doing number puzzles like sudoku.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2024

We all know the pleasure of solving a puzzle: the "click" of satisfaction when you complete a Wordle, crossword or sudoku.

From Salon • Jul. 6, 2022

It had reminded Candice of sudoku, a puzzle game her grandmother had first introduced her to.

From "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson