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

Here are the five largest Mega Millions jackpots in U.S. history: 1. —David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024

The Mega Millions jackpot rose to $1.22 billion after no one managed to hit all six numbers on Christmas Eve. —Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024

Last year, there were 10 jackpots won, the most in a single year since 2013. —Jennie Key, The Enquirer, 27 Dec. 2024

The current jackpot has been growing since the last winner on Sept. 10 — a person in Texas who took home the $810 million prize. —Doha Madani, NBC News, 25 Dec. 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