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
The player hit the Fantasy 5 jackpot, winning $127,068.38 in the evening drawing Saturday, April 19, according to the Florida Lottery.
—
Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
Ohio has had 21 jackpot winners, according to Mega Millions.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
This is the first top level jackpot to be won in the game, which includes a progressive jackpot that grows as more people play, according to lottery officials.
—Natalie Demaree, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2025
The most recent big Mega Millions winner was a lucky lottery ticket holder in Illinois last month who took home a $344 million jackpot.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jackpot
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Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
Ohio has had 21 jackpot winners, according to Mega Millions.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
This is the first top level jackpot to be won in the game, which includes a progressive jackpot that grows as more people play, according to lottery officials.
—Natalie Demaree, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2025
The most recent big Mega Millions winner was a lucky lottery ticket holder in Illinois last month who took home a $344 million jackpot.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jackpot
Cite this Entry
“Jackpot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jackpot. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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