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 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

Though no one took home the Powerball jackpot on Wednesday, one person from Louisiana took home $2 million. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 19 July 2026

The Idaho Lottery reported record sales this past year, including a 5% increase in Scratch Games and two $1 billion-dollar-plus jackpots on Powerball. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 16 July 2026

The Auburn player won the jackpot on a $5 side bet Thursday, July 9, the casino said in a news release. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

Take a look at Florida cases As for Tuesday, the Fantasy 5 midday jackpot came up 5, 10, 18, 20 and 25, matching the numbers on a Quick Pick ticket from a Publix at 3636 Harden Blvd. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 15 July 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