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

• 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

This is the 10th largest jackpot since the game started in 2002. —Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Oct. 2025

Making his jackpot even more serendipitous, Lang had taken a month-long break from playing before buying his winning ticket at Mace Liquors in Baltimore County last week. —Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025

For an additional $1, players can add the Megaplier to potentially increase their winnings outside of the jackpot. —Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Oct. 2025

In the original Netflix series, losing meant death, while the lone winner received a massive jackpot. —Hakyung Kate Lee, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2025

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