noun
stalemate
STAYL-mayt
Stalemate (noun) means In chess, a position where the player to move has no legal move and is not in check, ending the game as a draw. Example: “She accidentally forced a stalemate when she should have gone for checkmate.”
noun
1
In chess, a position where the player to move has no legal move and is not in check, ending the game as a draw.
"She accidentally forced a stalemate when she should have gone for checkmate."
2
Any deadlocked situation where neither side can make progress.
"Talks between the two countries reached a stalemate over trade tariffs."
"The union and management were stuck in a stalemate for weeks."
verb
1
To bring a situation, argument, or game to a deadlock.
"Their refusal to compromise stalemated the entire negotiation."
How to use stalemate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA standstill where nobody can move forward, whether in chess or in any dispute.
Common pairings
reach a stalemate
end in stalemate
break the stalemate
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Word forms
- Plural
- stalemates
- Third person singular
- stalemates
- Past tense
- stalemated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She accidentally forced a _____ when she should have gone for checkmate.
Etymology
Formed from "stale" (in an old sense meaning a fixed position) plus "mate," as in checkmate.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for stalemate
See all rhymes for stalemate →Frequently asked questions
What does “stalemate” mean?
The word “stalemate” means in chess, a position where the player to move has no legal move and is not in check, ending the game as a draw. In plain terms, a standstill where nobody can move forward, whether in chess or in any dispute.
How do you pronounce “stalemate”?
“Stalemate” is pronounced STAYL-mayt (/ˈsteɪlmeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “stalemate” in a sentence?
Here is “stalemate” used in a sentence: “She accidentally forced a stalemate when she should have gone for checkmate.”
What part of speech is “stalemate”?
Depending on how it is used, “stalemate” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “stalemate” have?
“Stalemate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in chess, a position where the player to move has no legal move and is not in check, ending the game as a draw.
