jeopardy

noun jeop·ar·dy \ ˈje-pər-dē \

|Updated on: 29 Jul 2018

Examples: jeopardy in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

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

See jeopardy defined for English-language learners

See jeopardy defined for kids

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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

Before going on the disabled list May 11 with a lower back strain, Tillman went 1-5 with a 10.46 ERA in seven starts with the Orioles, putting his rotation spot in jeopardy.

— katherine fominykh, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles notes: Chris Tillman a possibility for Sunday start against Rangers," 14 July 2018
Nearly two weeks after Parson issued the vetoes, his director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, Randall Williams, began reaching out personally to stakeholders to assure them the program wasn’t in jeopardy.

— jason hancock, kansascity, "Hospitals fear Parson budget cut could endanger stroke, heart attack, trauma patients," 13 July 2018
Read more But privately, other House Republicans and strategists said Mr. Jordan’s career could be in jeopardy.

— ben kesling, WSJ, "Allegations Complicate Rep. Jim Jordan’s Political Career," 11 July 2018
Fuller, whose roster spot seemed to be in jeopardy at this time a year ago, turned in an encouraging performance in his contract season.

— dan wiederer, chicagotribune.com, "Prince Amukamara 'reaching for the stars' with his 10-interception goal this season," 11 July 2018
But a finish outside the top four in the Southeastern Conference East would put Odom’s job back in jeopardy.

— paul myerberg, USA TODAY, "Ten college football coaches on the hot seat entering this season," 6 July 2018
Her sole purpose in life has been to get a baby no matter the cost, but with her own safety so clearly in jeopardy, Serena can no longer pretend that her child will be any safer.

— emma dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Finale Offers a Light in the Darkness," 11 July 2018
The citizenship of her now-adult children is not in jeopardy.

— adiel kaplan, miamiherald, "Miami grandma targeted as U.S. takes aim at naturalized immigrants with prior offenses," 9 July 2018
With Myerson departing and Microsoft reorganizing, these development priorities were always likely to change, putting Andromeda in jeopardy.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "Software delays, lack of purpose means Microsoft’s “Andromeda” may never arrive," 2 July 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

jeopardy Synonyms

JEOPARDY Defined for Kids

jeopardy

noun jeop·ar·dy \ ˈje-pər-dē \

Definition of jeopardy for Students

: danger 1

The wrong choice could put your future in jeopardy.

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

noun jeop·ar·dy \ ˈje-pər-dē \

legal 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

Note: 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.