jackpot

noun

jack·​pot ˈjak-ˌpät How to pronounce jackpot (audio)
1
a
: the top prize in a game or contest (such as a lottery) that is typically a large fund of money formed by the accumulation of unwon prizes
b(1)
: a hand or game of draw poker in which a pair of jacks or better is required to open
(2)
: a large pot (as in poker) formed by the accumulation of stakes from previous play
c(1)
: a combination on a slot machine that wins a top prize or all the coins available for paying out
(2)
: the sum so won
2
: an impressive often unexpected success or reward
3
chiefly Western US : a tight spot : jam

Examples of jackpot in a Sentence

The lottery jackpot is up to one million dollars. a wily dude who managed to get himself out of one jackpot after another
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Someone hit the Fantasy 5 jackpot, winning $102,255.36 in the evening drawing Sunday, Jan. 26, according to the Florida Lottery. Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025 According to the lottery, only four tickets matched all six Mega Millions numbers in 2024 – the fewest jackpots won in a calendar year since the game began in 2002. Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025 Read Next National Woman keeps jackpot lottery win a secret from her town of 450 people. Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 25 Jan. 2025 The Cash 5 Double Play ticket hit the jackpot Sunday, Jan. 19, during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, the N.C. Education Lottery reports. Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for jackpot 

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1b(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of jackpot was in 1865

Dictionary Entries Near jackpot

Cite this Entry

“Jackpot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jackpot. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

jackpot

noun
jack·​pot ˈjak-ˌpät How to pronounce jackpot (audio)
1
: a large poker pot formed by the accumulation of stakes from previous play
2
a
: a combination on a slot machine that wins a top prize or all the coins in the machine
b
: the sum so won
3
: a great often unexpected success or reward

More from Merriam-Webster on jackpot

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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