jackpot

noun

jack·​pot ˈjak-ˌpät How to pronounce jackpot (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1b(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of jackpot was in 1865

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jackpot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jackpot. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

jackpot

noun
jack·​pot ˈjak-ˌpät How to pronounce jackpot (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on jackpot

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