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

Eight Fantasy 5 tickets sold in California won $554,155 in jackpots from Monday, July 6, to Monday, July 13. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2026

In the event of multiple jackpot winners, the jackpot prize will be shared. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 11 July 2026

Tuesday’s major money Florida Lottery draw games — Jackpot Triple Play, Mega Millions, Fantasy 5 — produced two big winners from one jackpot. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026

The Powerball jackpot, which has risen to $434 million, will have its next drawing on Wednesday night. — Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 8 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