jackpot

noun

jack·​pot ˈjak-ˌpät 

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

Synonyms

• bind
• box
• catch-22
• corner
• dilemma
• fix
• hole
• impasse
• jam
• mire
• pickle
• predicament
• quagmire
• rabbit hole
• rattrap
• spot
• sticky wicket
• swamp

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

If there's no jackpot winner, the cash prize will increase by millions. —James Powel, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024

Pay an additional $1 to add the Power Play for a chance to multiply all Powerball winnings except for the jackpot. —Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Oct. 2024

The unknown player was one of four statewide to split the total jackpot of $904,864, one of the highest in the game’s history. —Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024

Friday's Mega Millions jackpot stands at $229 million with a $107.4 million cash option. —Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing jackpot

• hit the jackpot

Kids Definition

jackpot

noun

jack·​pot ˈjak-ˌpät 

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