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 big win comes a day after another Fantasy 5 player won a $1.5 million jackpot on June 13, beating odds of 1 in 850,668 to snag the grand prize, according to the lottery’s website.
—
Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 17 June 2025
The Powerball jackpot was last won May 31, when a California player hit the $204.5 million grand prize.
—Don Sweeney, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2025
New York has struggled to find a player who can be the best of both worlds for them, and Brian Cashman may have just hit the jackpot.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
Much like a slot machine at a casino, the lucky 7s flashed briefly, appearing as if this would be the time the jackpot hits.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for jackpot
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Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 17 June 2025
The Powerball jackpot was last won May 31, when a California player hit the $204.5 million grand prize.
—Don Sweeney, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2025
New York has struggled to find a player who can be the best of both worlds for them, and Brian Cashman may have just hit the jackpot.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
Much like a slot machine at a casino, the lucky 7s flashed briefly, appearing as if this would be the time the jackpot hits.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 14 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 3 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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