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

On Tuesday night, the Mega Millions lottery is set to hold its next drawing for a jackpot that has surged to $800 million. — Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

The $633 Powerball jackpot and $800 million Mega Millions jackpots remain available for the next drawings in each game. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026

Neither winner is likely to leave the work force with Sunday’s draw-game winnings, unlike whoever eventually claims the Powerball jackpot. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026

The drawing also marks Powerball's expansion into the United Kingdom, bringing more players into the game and potentially setting the stage for even larger jackpots in the future. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 26 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