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
The Powerball lottery jackpot continues to grow after no one matched all six numbers from Wednesday night's drawing, as the Powerball jackpot currently ranks as the nation's second largest lottery jackpot of all time.
—
Chris Sims, IndyStar, 7 Sep. 2025
Saturday's drawing marked the 42nd drawing since the last jackpot was won on May 31, 2025.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Powerball drawing winner results for 9/6/25 lottery jackpot A ticket bought in Missouri and a ticket sold in Texas matched all six numbers to win Saturday night's Powerball jackpot.
—Chris Sims, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Sep. 2025
The winner of the largest jackpot so far bought his ticket in California, which requires disclosure.
—Safiyah Riddle, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jackpot
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Chris Sims, IndyStar, 7 Sep. 2025
Saturday's drawing marked the 42nd drawing since the last jackpot was won on May 31, 2025.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Powerball drawing winner results for 9/6/25 lottery jackpot A ticket bought in Missouri and a ticket sold in Texas matched all six numbers to win Saturday night's Powerball jackpot.
—Chris Sims, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Sep. 2025
The winner of the largest jackpot so far bought his ticket in California, which requires disclosure.
—Safiyah Riddle, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 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 12 Sep. 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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