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

see also:

hit the jackpot

Synonyms of jackpot

• predicament
• pickle
• dilemma
• hole
• jam
• corner

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

Saturday’s Florida Lotto, Powerball and Fantasy 5 drawings begat one jackpot victory split between two players who bought their tickets only three miles apart. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026

While a four-season run in the streaming era feels like a showrunner winning the jackpot, it was seen as a failure in those days – especially since the preceding Trek shows since 1987 had run for seven seasons each. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 26 Sep. 2026

To win the jackpot, a ticket must match all five white balls and the red Powerball. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

Two Powerball tickets sold in California fell just one number short of winning the $298 million jackpot, lottery officials said. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026

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