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
Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
The jockey was Jose Ortiz, one of the best in the world.
—Jay Posner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 5 Nov. 2025
Democrats are mulling changes to their early presidential calendar, with a number of states jockeying to be considered in the early window.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jockey
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Noun
The best thoroughbreds and jockeys from around the world are competing during the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California.
—Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
The jockey was Jose Ortiz, one of the best in the world.
—Jay Posner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
Six candidates jockeyed for Seat 4, which is being vacated by incumbent David Hershey, who did not run for reelection.
—Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 5 Nov. 2025
Democrats are mulling changes to their early presidential calendar, with a number of states jockeying to be considered in the early window.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 27 Oct. 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 8 Nov. 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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