: any of several games played on an oblong table by driving small balls against one another or into pockets with a cue
specifically: a game in which one scores by causing a cue ball to hit in succession two object balls compare poolentry 3
Did you know?
The word billiards refers to any of various games played on a cloth-topped, cushion-railed rectangular table by driving small, hard balls against one another or into pockets, with a long stick called a cue. Carom, or French billiards, is played with three balls, two white and one red, on a table without pockets. The object is to stroke the white cue ball so that it hits the two object balls in succession, scoring a carom (one point). English billiards is also played with three balls, but on a pocketed table; it is scored in various ways. Snooker is another popular British billiards game. The principal billiards game in North America is pocket billiards, or pool. The Billiard Congress of America controls US tournament play, including the US Open Pockets Billiard Championship, regarded as the world championship.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebThat’s the case for Hotel Amparo, a five-room boutique hotel set within a renovated, 300-year-old building that now hosts an intimate bar with a top-notch wine selection, as well as a living room replete with a full library and a billiards table. Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2022 On the fourth floor of the home is a recreation room with desks, a billiards table and wet bar and on the lower level is a theater with reclining seats. Lia Picard, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 It’s about the height of a billiards table and rather unremarkable. Liza Weisstuch, Washington Post, 8 July 2022 Amenities at the tower include a fitness center, outdoor pool, 10th-floor community spaces, such as a lounge and bar area with a billiards table and 85″ TV, catering kitchen, co-working spaces (with individual work pods) and a dog play space. Degen Pener, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 July 2022 Chess pieces, checkers board and billiards table are all set up – with requisite bottle of bourbon and cigar in ashtray nearby. Marc Bona, cleveland, 9 May 2022 The two-story, 10,000-square-foot Royal Duplex Suite has its own gym, plunge pool, billiards table and hammam. The Editors, Robb Report, 8 May 2022 The Berlin space had been a vacant billiards hall for years before McKenzie and Perra leased it, Economic Development Director Chris Edge said. Don Stacom, courant.com, 1 Apr. 2022 The home has five bedrooms, five full and two partial bathrooms, an elevator, a rock and brick wine cellar with a tasting booth, Tudor-style pub, fitness center, billiards room, home theater, six balconies outside and two more inside. Brendel Hightower, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle French billard billiard cue, billiards, from bille wooden stick, log — more at billet