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

Key Background This is the biggest lottery prize of the year so far, pipping an $800 million Mega Millions jackpot that was won by a Florida ticket buyer last Tuesday. — Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Tonight’s drawing will be the 43rd in a row in search of a winner, and its prize ranks as the eighth-largest jackpot in Powerball history, according to the Multi State Lottery Association, which administers the game. — Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

Wednesday's drawing will be the 44th since a Powerball pot of gold was won on May 2, when tickets purchased in Florida and Texas split a $20 million jackpot. — Melissa Gaffney, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

The weekend before Monday’s drawing for the gargantuan Powerball jackpot, five Florida Lottery major money draw game players hit for lesser big prizes. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 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