plural jockeys
1
: a person who rides or drives a horse especially as a professional in a race
2
: a person who operates or works with a specified vehicle, device, object, or material
a bus jockey
pencil jockeys
jockeyed; jockeying
1
a
: to maneuver or manipulate by adroit or devious means
was jockeyed out of the job
b
: to change the position of by a series of movements
jockey a truck into position
3
: to deal shrewdly or fraudulently with
1
: to maneuver for advantage
—often used in the phrase jockey for position
2
: to act as a jockey
Examples of jockey in a Sentence
Verb
There was a lot of political jockeying at the fund-raiser.
The driver carefully jockeyed the truck into a narrow space in the crowded parking lot.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 1 May 2025
Who Is Racing During Kentucky Derby 2025 For the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, there are 20 horses with jockeys racing during Saturday’s event.
—Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2025
Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025
The Nuggets — along with a handful of other Western Conference teams — are jockeying for playoff seedings as clubs enter the final week of the season.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jockey
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Noun
Mystik Dan #3, ridden by jockey Brian J. Hernandez Jr. (R), crosses the finish line ahead of Sierra Leone #2, ridden by jockey Tyler Gaffalione and Forever Young, ridden by jockey Ryusei Sakai to win the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 04, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 1 May 2025
Who Is Racing During Kentucky Derby 2025 For the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, there are 20 horses with jockeys racing during Saturday’s event.
—Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2025
Verb
Carmakers jockeyed for attention with flashy displays featuring their latest models and dueling press conferences announcing new releases.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025
The Nuggets — along with a handful of other Western Conference teams — are jockeying for playoff seedings as clubs enter the final week of the season.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jockey
Cite this Entry
“Jockey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jockey. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
jockey
1 of 2 noun
jock·ey
ˈjäk-ē 
plural jockeys
1
: one who rides a horse especially as a professional in a race
2
: one who operates something
a gas-pump jockey
jockey
2 of 2 verb
jockeyed; jockeying
1
: to ride a horse as a jockey
2
: to move or manage skillfully or cleverly or so as to gain advantage
jockey a truck into position
jockeying for position
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