Billiards

/ˈbɪljərdz/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A game played on a rectangular table covered with a cloth, with six pockets along the sides and corners, where players use a cue to strike a white ball, aiming to hit other balls into the pockets.

We spent the evening playing billiards at the local club.

The collective term for several cue sports, including pool, snooker, and straight billiards.

He is a skilled player in various forms of billiards, including snooker and eight-ball.

A game played with three balls on a table without pockets, where players score points by hitting the balls in specific ways.

In the championship, she excelled in the three-ball billiards variant.

Etymology

Derived from Middle French 'billard' which means 'a cue' referring to the cue used in the game.

Common Phrases and Expressions

playing billiards

Engaging in the game of billiards.

billiard hall

A place where billiards and other cue sports are played.

on the billiard table

Referring to the surface where billiards is played.

Related Words

cue

A long, tapered stick used to strike the balls in billiards.

table

The flat, rectangular surface on which billiards is played.

ball

The spherical objects used in billiards which players strike with the cue.

Slang Meanings

Pocket billiards

Let's head to the bar for some pocket billiards.

Breaking

He made a great break on the billiards table.