échec et mat — meaning in English

English meaning

• checkmate noun In chess, the winning move that traps the opponent's king with no way to escape capture.

Senses

échec et mat is used for these senses in English:

• checkmate (chess) Word called out by the victor when making a move that wins the game.
• checkmate (chess) The conclusive victory in a game of chess that occurs when an opponent's king is threatened with unavoidable capture.

checkmate — full definition

1. noun In chess, the winning move that traps the opponent's king with no way to escape capture.
2. noun Figuratively, a complete and inescapable defeat in any situation.
3. verb To defeat an opponent's king so it cannot escape capture, or to put someone in an inescapable losing position.

Related French words