Endgame - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT endgame /ˌɛn(d)ˈgeɪm/ IPA guide

Other forms: endgames

An endgame is the very last part of a strategic game, like chess or backgammon. The last few moves you make in your chess game are your endgame.

Although the term endgame doesn't have a formal definition in chess, it's long been used by players to describe what happens when very few pieces are left on the board. One interesting thing characteristic of a chess endgame is that the king, which spends most of the game being protected by other pieces, becomes much stronger. From the chess meaning, endgame is also used figuratively to mean "end stages of negotiation."

Definitions of endgame

noun the final stages of a chess game after most of the pieces have been removed from the board synonyms: end game see moresee less type of: end, final stage, last the concluding parts of an event or occurrence
noun the final stages of an extended process of negotiation “the diplomatic endgame” synonyms: end game see moresee less type of: end, final stage, last the concluding parts of an event or occurrence

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘endgame'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family 2 million people are mastering new words. Master a word

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