Matches

Matches are small devices designed to produce a flame for lighting fires. A typical match consists of a slender wooden or paper shaft with a chemically coated tip, known as the match head. When the head is struck against a suitably rough surface, friction heats the head until it ignites, producing a flame. There are two main broad varieties: safety matches, which require a specially prepared striking surface, and strike-anywhere matches, which can ignite on many rough surfaces. Modern safety matches were developed in the 19th century to reduce the hazards of ignition from careless handling, particularly the health risks once associated with white phosphorus. The head formulations and the striking surface are designed to keep the oxidizer and fuel components apart until ignition. Matches are commonly sold in matchboxes or matchbooks and are used for lighting candles, stoves, camping gear, and in various household tasks. Proper storage away from heat and children is advised due to fire risk.

Beyond lighting devices, the term match also denotes a contest between two opponents or teams in sports and games. A single game within a tournament can be called a match, and a series of games between players is referred to as a match or a match series (as in chess or tennis). Matches are governed by rules that define duration, scoring, and win conditions, and they are scheduled in fixtures or rounds within leagues and competitions.