plural jockeys
1
: a person who rides or drives a horse especially as a professional in a race
2
: a person who operates or works with a specified vehicle, device, object, or material
a bus jockey
pencil jockeys
jockeyed; jockeying
1
a
: to maneuver or manipulate by adroit or devious means
was jockeyed out of the job
b
: to change the position of by a series of movements
jockey a truck into position
3
: to deal shrewdly or fraudulently with
1
: to maneuver for advantage
—often used in the phrase jockey for position
2
: to act as a jockey
Examples of jockey in a Sentence
Verb
There was a lot of political jockeying at the fund-raiser.
The driver carefully jockeyed the truck into a narrow space in the crowded parking lot.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
In 2009, however, in a separate hearing, it was proved that some jockeys had submitted to pressure from Rodgers.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025
But China is jockeying to secure that milestone for itself and has pledged to put boots on the moon by 2030.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jockey
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Noun
Musk also responded to reporting from the Wall Street Journal that Musk ally Jared Isaacman may be back in the running to lead the agency, as Duffy jockeys to fold NASA completely under the Transportation Department.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
In 2009, however, in a separate hearing, it was proved that some jockeys had submitted to pressure from Rodgers.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
The crowded field includes a wide range of candidates jockeying for four spots on the city council, including two incumbents running unopposed and five newcomers.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025
But China is jockeying to secure that milestone for itself and has pledged to put boots on the moon by 2030.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jockey
Cite this Entry
“Jockey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jockey. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
jockey
1 of 2 noun
jock·ey
ˈjäk-ē 
plural jockeys
1
: one who rides a horse especially as a professional in a race
2
: one who operates something
a gas-pump jockey
jockey
2 of 2 verb
jockeyed; jockeying
1
: to ride a horse as a jockey
2
: to move or manage skillfully or cleverly or so as to gain advantage
jockey a truck into position
jockeying for position
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