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
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.
—
July 1, CBS News, 1 July 2025
The lucky winners hit the Fantasy 5 jackpot, each winning $1,064,097 after matching all five numbers in the drawing Saturday, June 28, the Georgia Lottery said.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
The Powerball jackpot broke the $1 billion mark three times in fiscal 2024 — a $1.07 billion prize was won on July 19, 2023, $1.76 billion the following October 11, and $1.32 billion on April 6, 2024.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 27 June 2025
The Mega Millions jackpot was last hit April 18, when an Ohio player won the $112 million grand prize, lottery officials said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for jackpot
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July 1, CBS News, 1 July 2025
The lucky winners hit the Fantasy 5 jackpot, each winning $1,064,097 after matching all five numbers in the drawing Saturday, June 28, the Georgia Lottery said.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
The Powerball jackpot broke the $1 billion mark three times in fiscal 2024 — a $1.07 billion prize was won on July 19, 2023, $1.76 billion the following October 11, and $1.32 billion on April 6, 2024.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 27 June 2025
The Mega Millions jackpot was last hit April 18, when an Ohio player won the $112 million grand prize, lottery officials said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 25 June 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 8 Jul. 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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