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

How much is the Powerball jackpot tonight, December 20, 2025? —Chris Sims, IndyStar, 21 Dec. 2025

This is the second Powerball jackpot to reach $1 billion in 2025. —Tanya Wildt, Freep.com, 21 Dec. 2025

What is the Powerball jackpot up to? —Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Dec. 2025

Saturday’s jackpot is the fifth largest in the Powerball game and the seventh largest among US lottery jackpots, according to a Friday news release. —Michelle Watson, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 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