canasta

[ kuh-nas-tuh ]

noun

, Cards.

1. a variety of rummy in which the main object is to meld sets of seven or more cards.

canasta

/ kəˈnæstə /

noun

1. a card game for two to six players who seek to amass points by declaring sets of cards
2. Also calledmeld a declared set in this game, containing seven or more like cards, worth 500 points if the canasta is pure or 300 if wild (containing up to three jokers)

Word History and Origins

Origin of canasta¹

1945–50; < Spanish: literally, basket, apparently variant of canastro < Greek kánastron wicker basket ( canister )

Word History and Origins

Origin of canasta¹

C20: from Spanish: basket (because two packs, or a basketful, of cards are required), variant of canastro, from Latin canistrum; see canister

Example Sentences

It was top of mind for several people who milled around a community center recently as a canasta game ended in Plantation, Fla.

From New York Times

One longtime contributor, Mitchell Abidor, 70, compared the magazine’s former iteration, even before Mr. Bush’s arrival in 2002, to “friendship clubs in Miami Beach, where old Jews would sit around and play canasta and moan.”

From New York Times

Ladies at canasta tables now compare notes on their favorite cannabis tinctures.

From Washington Post

“Coates had those steely blue eyes, and after the canasta comeback, he threw the cards out the window. He was kind of an out-of-control guy.”

From Seattle Times

Whether you are a canasta fanatic, hiking enthusiast, wine lover, swing dancer, karaoke singer or soccer fan, you can find like-minded people near you via Meetup.com.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• poker
• roulette