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Definition of jeopardy
1 : exposure to or imminence of death, loss, or injury : danger placing their lives in jeopardy workers in jeopardy of losing their jobs
2 law : the danger that an accused person is subjected to when on trial for a criminal offense
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jeopardy was our Word of the Day on 06/12/2015. Hear the podcast!
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Examples of jeopardy in a Sentence
the city's firefighters routinely put their lives in jeopardy by executing daring rescues
Recent Examples of jeopardy from the Web
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The American Civil Liberties Union said a suspension is necessary so Iraqi nationals can go to immigration court and argue that their lives would be in jeopardy if returned to their native country.
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The American Civil Liberties Union said a suspension is necessary so Iraqi nationals can go to immigration court and argue that their lives would be in jeopardy if returned to their native country.
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The new waiting period along with measures aimed at restricting taxpayer funding of abortion could in jeopardy when the parliamentarian rules later this week.
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Today abortion clinics are disappearing at a record pace, and Medicaid payouts to Planned Parenthood are in jeopardy.
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Plus, one bad movie isn't going to put his job in jeopardy.
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Their opposition puts the bill in jeopardy since Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell can lose only two Republican senators and still pass the legislation.
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Nor does the tape show, contrary to many press reports, that the safety of any cast member was ever in jeopardy.
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Nor does the tape show, contrary to many press reports, that the safety of any cast member was ever in jeopardy.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'jeopardy'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Centuries ago, the Old French term jeu parti didn't mean "danger" but rather "an alternative" or, literally, "a divided game." That French expression was used for anything that represented an alternative viewpoint or gave two opposing viewpoints. "Jeu parti" passed into Anglo-French as juparti, and from there it was borrowed into Middle English and respelled "jeopardie." At first, the English word was used to refer to the risks associated with alternative moves in the game of chess. Soon, however, the term came to be used more generally in the "risk" or "danger" sense that it has today.
Origin and Etymology of jeopardy
Middle English jeopardie, from Anglo-French juparti, jeuparti alternative, literally, divided game
JEOPARDY Defined for Kids
History for jeopardy
In French jeu parti means literally “divided game.” This phrase was used in medieval France for situations involving alternative possibilities, such as a chess game where a player could not be sure which of two plays would be better. In this sense jeu parti was borrowed into English as jeopardie. It came to be applied to any situation involving equal chances for success or failure. Gradually, the element of risk or danger in such a choice became the word's meaning.
Law Dictionary
jeopardy
playLegal Definition of jeopardy
1 : exposure to or imminence of death, loss, or injury
2 : the danger of conviction that an accused person is subjected to when on trial for a criminal offense — see also double jeopardy
Additional Notes on jeopardy
Jeopardy attaches, or comes into effect for double jeopardy purposes, when a jury is sworn in or, in a non-jury trial, when the judge begins to hear evidence. The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution forbids double jeopardy for the same offense, and this applies whether the first trial ends in acquittal, conviction, or a mistrial. If a mistrial occurs due to a manifest necessity or if a defendant appeals a conviction, however, the rule against double jeopardy does not apply. The issue of manifest necessity is determined by the trial judge and, if necessary, by an appeals court.
Learn More about jeopardy
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for jeopardy Spanish Central: Translation of jeopardy Nglish: Translation of jeopardy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of jeopardy for Arabic speakers
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