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

The Toronto Blue Jays hit the jackpot by being labeled as Alex Bregman's new team. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025

The player tried their luck in the Fantasy 5 evening drawing Wednesday, Feb. 5, and won a jackpot worth $120,224.82, according to the Florida Lottery. —Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2025

The prize breaks a record for the largest state-exclusive jackpot prize in state history, officials said. —Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2025

The Mega Millions jackpot was last hit Jan. 17, when an Arizona player won the $112 million grand prize, lottery officials said. —Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 5 Feb. 2025

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