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 Rigging of the Texas Lottery: Texas lottery executives blessed a scheme that ensured one player would win a $95 million jackpot in 2023.
—
Serge F. Kovaleski, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
What to know about Powerball To score the jackpot in the Powerball, a player must match all five white balls and the red Powerball.
—Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2025
Though the player scored the largest Mega Millions prize in the country that night, their ticket was one number from winning the $453 million jackpot, according to the game’s website.
—Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025
Mindell and Grief were criticized after an increase in third-party lottery ticket couriers and a single group bought every ticket combination possible to win the $95 million jackpot in 2023, The Texas Tribune reported.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jackpot
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Serge F. Kovaleski, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
What to know about Powerball To score the jackpot in the Powerball, a player must match all five white balls and the red Powerball.
—Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2025
Though the player scored the largest Mega Millions prize in the country that night, their ticket was one number from winning the $453 million jackpot, according to the game’s website.
—Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025
Mindell and Grief were criticized after an increase in third-party lottery ticket couriers and a single group bought every ticket combination possible to win the $95 million jackpot in 2023, The Texas Tribune reported.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 21 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 7 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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