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

Two Powerball tickets sold in New York and Washington, D.C., won $1 million each but just missed the $483 million jackpot, lottery officials say. —Don Sweeney, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2025

What to know about Powerball To score the jackpot in the Powerball, a player must match all five white balls and the red Powerball. —Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2025

Take the quiz here … MAJOR WINNINGS – Mega Millions changes will lead to 'more billionaire jackpots', expert says. —FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025

What to know about Mega Millions To score the jackpot in Mega Millions, a player must match all five white balls and the gold Mega Ball. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing jackpot

• hit the jackpot

Rhymes for jackpot

• allot
• barat
• begot
• besought
• bethought
• bloodshot
• boycott
• buckshot
• crackpot
• croat
• culottes
• dashpot

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