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
No one won the jackpot in Friday's drawing, however six people matched four numbers to win $10,000.
—
Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2025
To hit the jackpot, a player must match digital icons or spin a prize wheel, rules show.
—Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2025
The body is barely cold before they’re enveloped in a world of drugs and murder, with the FBI circling ever nearer to what looks like a criminal jackpot (fronted by a deli, hence the title).
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025
The Arizona Lottery is revamping its Mega Millions game to have a larger starting jackpot by increasing ticket prices from $2 to $5.
—Axios Phoenix, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jackpot
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.
Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2025
To hit the jackpot, a player must match digital icons or spin a prize wheel, rules show.
—Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2025
The body is barely cold before they’re enveloped in a world of drugs and murder, with the FBI circling ever nearer to what looks like a criminal jackpot (fronted by a deli, hence the title).
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025
The Arizona Lottery is revamping its Mega Millions game to have a larger starting jackpot by increasing ticket prices from $2 to $5.
—Axios Phoenix, Axios, 5 Mar. 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 25 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share