gammon

UK: /ˈgæmən/ US: (gam′ən)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

gam•mon¹  (gam′ən), [Backgammon.]
n. 

1. the game of backgammon.
2. a victory in which the winner throws off all his or her pieces before the opponent throws off any.

v.t. 

3. to win a gammon over.

• perh. special use of Middle English gamen game¹ 1720–30

gam•mon²  (gam′ən), n. 

1. a smoked or cured ham.
2. the lower end of a side of bacon.

• Old French gambon ham (French jambon), derivative of gambe; see jamb¹
• 1480–90

gam•mon³  (gam′ən), [Brit. Informal.]
n. 

1. British Terms deceitful nonsense;
   bosh.

v.i. 

2. British Terms to talk gammon.
3. British Terms to make pretense.

v.t. 

4. British Terms to humbug.

• perh. special use of gammon¹ 1710–20

gam′mon•er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

gammon / ˈɡæmən/ noun

1. a cured or smoked ham
2. the hindquarter of a side of bacon, cooked either whole or cut into large rashers
3. a person, typically male, middle-aged, and White, with reactionary views

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old Northern French gambon, from gambe leg; see gambrel

gammon / ˈɡæmən/ noun

1. a double victory in backgammon in which one player throws off all his or her pieces before his or her opponent throws any
2. the game of backgammon

verb

1. (transitive) to score a gammon over

Etymology: 18th Century: probably special use of Middle English gamen game¹

gammon / ˈɡæmən/ noun

1. deceitful nonsense; humbug

verb

1. to deceive (a person)

Etymology: 18th Century: perhaps special use of gammon²

ˈgammoner noun