jeopardy

noun jeop·ar·dy \ ˈje-pər-dē \

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

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

jeopardy was our Word of the Day on 06/12/2015. Hear the podcast!

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

The discovery off Looe Key, south of Big Pine in part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, puts in jeopardy the southern end of the world's third-largest barrier reef — a scuba-diving destination renowned for its biological diversity.

— jenny staletovich, miamiherald, "Mystery disease spreads, threatens coral reefs in the Lower Florida Keys | Miami Herald," 20 Apr. 2018
The second-most common job in America is cashier; with retail in big trouble, these jobs and tens of thousands of sales jobs are in jeopardy.

— alex shephard, The New Republic, "This Is the Most Important Number in Business," 20 Apr. 2018
The promising future that Embiid is expected to have would be in jeopardy.

— keith pompey, Philly.com, "Sixers must stand firm and protect Joel Embiid, not rush him back for NBA playoffs," 18 Apr. 2018
Could a walkout put district ballot measures in jeopardy?

— lily altavena, azcentral, "Mesa schools superintendent to teachers: 'A walkout could mean loss of public support'," 17 Apr. 2018
Tonight’s #BlueJays game appears to be in jeopardy, but stay tuned.

— pete grathoff, kansascity, "Here are photos from inside Rogers Centre, where Royals were scheduled to play Monday | The Kansas City Star," 16 Apr. 2018
Republicans openly worried about how a lame-duck speaker and uncertainty in leadership would affect a party struggling to unify itself and raise money for midterm elections with their House majority in jeopardy.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Rep. Jim Jordan, Freedom Caucus co-founder, is exploring run for House speaker," 13 Apr. 2018
And Tony Finau put his first Masters appearance in jeopardy by badly twisting his ankle while celebrating his own ace.

— tod leonard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Xander Schauffele under Masters radar for some, but not Faldo," 4 Apr. 2018
If Colon is going to be the long man, could Jesse Chavez's roster spot be in jeopardy?

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "Rangers Reaction: Hamels piles up the strikeouts ... and his pitch count | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 4 Apr. 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.