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
What to know about Powerball To score a jackpot in the Powerball, a player must match all five white balls and the red Powerball.
—
Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2025
Someone in Palmetto hit the Fantasy 5 jackpot, winning $176,901 after matching all five numbers in the drawing Monday, May 26, according to the Georgia Lottery’s website.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 27 May 2025
In addition to editing content, Alex also covers breaking news, writing about crime and severe weather as well as everything from multistate lottery jackpots to the July Fourth hot dog eating contest.
—Alex Sundby
may 26, CBS News, 26 May 2025
There have been three Mega Millions winners this year, with the most recent being the April 18 win in Ohio of a $112 million jackpot.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for jackpot
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Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2025
Someone in Palmetto hit the Fantasy 5 jackpot, winning $176,901 after matching all five numbers in the drawing Monday, May 26, according to the Georgia Lottery’s website.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 27 May 2025
In addition to editing content, Alex also covers breaking news, writing about crime and severe weather as well as everything from multistate lottery jackpots to the July Fourth hot dog eating contest.
—Alex Sundby
may 26, CBS News, 26 May 2025
There have been three Mega Millions winners this year, with the most recent being the April 18 win in Ohio of a $112 million jackpot.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 25 May 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 Jun. 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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