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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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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Whether the District Court erred by ruling that Glass’s federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine did not bar a subsequent state prosecution for possession of dangerous drugs on double jeopardy grounds.
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Early on Thursday, a trip to the finals was in jeopardy.
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A spokesperson for Kadri says some of his clients are celebrities whose medical records may now be in jeopardy.
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Lawyers for Mr. Comey or Congress could argue that conversations about any legal jeopardy that Mr. Trump or his associates faced for events before Mr. Trump took office fall outside that realm.
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Former Diamond Cup champion Andy Alberding of Roseburg, Ore., owns the overall track record at 11.157 set on June 5, 2010, but the return of Super Modifieds could put that mark in jeopardy.
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A hamstring injury last month put his season in jeopardy, so Ruiz knew just what Cross was going through.
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The Royals’ reign as the leaders of local television ratings in Major League Baseball is in jeopardy, but their games on Fox Sports Kansas City make that network No. 1 in prime time in the KC market since the start of the season.
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But those who support the current policies fear that travel to Cuba may be 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
First Known Use: 14th century
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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