<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>Chess: a position of the pieces in which a player cannot move any piece except the king and cannot move the king without putting it in check.</li><li>any position or situation in which no action can be taken or progress made; deadlock.</li><li>Synonyms: standstill, standoff, impasse.</li><li>a road or way that has no outlet; cul-de-sac.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>stale·mat·ed, stale·mat·ing: to subject to a stalemate.</li><li>to bring to a standstill.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>stale·mat·ed, stale·mat·ing: to be or result in a stalemate or standoff.</li></ul>