jeopardy

noun jeop·ar·dy \ ˈje-pər-dē \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 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

But Greitens' resignation left the board in jeopardy – and Williams' future more unclear than ever.

— CBS News, "After governor's resignation, fate of Missouri man on death row in doubt," 14 June 2018
Matt Moore's place in the Texas Rangers' starting rotation is officially in jeopardy, and right-hander Yovani Gallardo might have the inside track on replacing him.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "Gallardo is pitching well, but there's another reason Rangers may pick him to replace Moore," 12 June 2018
The industry is also watching closely to see whether Walt Disney's own deal to purchase most of the assets of 21st Century Fox for $52.4 billion is now in jeopardy as Comcast takes a run at prized assets like 20th Century TV and FX.

— etan vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, "Mega Sky, Fox Deals Would Boost Comcast's Worldwide Profile, NBCUniversal's Kevin MacLellan Says," 11 June 2018
Defense attorney Buddy Parker stressed that his client cooperated with U.S. law enforcement agents even before his 2010 arrest, putting his own life in jeopardy.

— kate brumback, Houston Chronicle, "Extradited from Mexico, cartel leader gets nearly 50 years," 11 June 2018
Kendall would never want to do anything to put her relationship with Anwar's sisters in jeopardy.

— hanna lustig, Teen Vogue, "Kendall Jenner and Anwar Hadid Reportedly Aren't In a Relationship," 7 June 2018
That plan would be in jeopardy if the monument status is adopted by the commission at their meeting this week.

— brittany martin, Los Angeles Magazine, "Will Silver Lake’s 1940s Texaco Be Saved From Demolition?," 7 June 2018
Nafta is already in jeopardy due to excessive U.S. demands that include a wage mandate on autos and a five-year sunset.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "Trump’s Steel Destruction," 31 May 2018
After months of niceties, North Korea has returned to its mercurial form and put the Trump-Kim summit in jeopardy.

— alex ward, Vox, "North Korea is already getting concessions ahead of Trump-Kim talks," 18 May 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.