noun
checkmate
CHEHK-mayt
noun
1
In chess, the winning move that traps the opponent's king with no way to escape capture.
"He achieved checkmate in just twelve moves."
2
Figuratively, a complete and inescapable defeat in any situation.
"With the evidence laid out, it was checkmate for the defense."
verb
1
To defeat an opponent's king so it cannot escape capture, or to put someone in an inescapable losing position.
"She checkmated her opponent in a stunning final move."
How to Use Checkmate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe chess-ending move, or, more broadly, any total and unbeatable defeat.
Common pairings
declare checkmate
checkmate in X moves
Word Forms
checkmated past tense, checkmates plural, checkmates singular
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Etymology
From Old French eschec mat, ultimately from Persian shah mat, meaning "the king is helpless" or "the king is stunned."