# checkmate

/ˈtʃɛkˌmeɪt/ (US) · /tʃˈɛkmeɪt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/checkmate
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a position in a game of chess where the king is trapped and cannot move. It is the way you win the game.

For teachers: a position in chess where the king is under threat of capture and has no legal move to escape. It is the standard method of winning a game.

## Examples

- He won the game with a quick checkmate.
- The player's opponent made a mistake that allowed him to deliver a checkmate in just three moves.
- While the opening was aggressive, the player's lack of experience eventually led to a checkmate that he failed to see coming from his own side.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.