chess

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈches How to pronounce chess (audio)
: a game for 2 players each of whom moves 16 pieces according to fixed rules across a checkerboard and tries to checkmate the opponent's king

Illustration of chess

Illustration of chess
  • chessboard with chess pieces arranged as at the beginning of a game

chess

2 of 2

noun (2)

1
: a weedy annual European bromegrass (Bromus secalinus) widely naturalized in North America as a weed especially in grain
2
: any of several weedy bromegrasses related to chess

Examples of chess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Alpha-Zero, as the system was called, surpassed human experts at chess, the Japanese chess variant Shogi, and the ancient strategy board game called Go. — Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026 Few things slow a trip down (in the best way) quite like an unhurried game of chess. — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 8 Aug. 2026 The chess piece element from Downs continues to make the coaching staff excited about the overall potential of the defense. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Aug. 2026 Working alongside Keri Russell as Kate Wyler and Rufus Sewell as Hal Wyler, the two couples go deeper into a game of high-stakes chess. — Carita Rizzo, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chess

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English chesse, ches, esches, borrowed from Anglo-French escheks, eschez "game of chess" — more at check entry 2

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1736, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chess was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing chess

Rhymes for chess

See All Rhymes for chess

Browse Nearby Words

chesnut
chess
chessboard
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Cite this Entry

“Chess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chess. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

chess

noun
ˈches
: a game for two players each of whom plays with 16 pieces on a checkerboard
Etymology

Noun

Middle English ches "game of chess," from early French eschés (same meaning), literally, "checks," from eschec "check" — related to check, checker

More from Merriam-Webster on chess

Nglish: Translation of chess for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chess

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