jockey

1 of 2

noun

jock·​ey ˈjä-kē 

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

jockey

2 of 2

verb

jockeyed; jockeying

transitive verb

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

2

a

: to ride or drive (a horse) as a jockey

b

: drive, operate

3

: to deal shrewdly or fraudulently with

intransitive verb

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

Noun

His talented jockey Velasquez will be there with him, but, given Fierceness’ unusually rough third year on the track, as with no other horse in the race, the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic will be an examination of Fierceness’ heart for the run. —Guy Martin, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Coffey passes longtime Islanders star Denis Potvin. 1991 — Angel Cordero Jr. becomes the 3rd jockey to win 7,000 races. 1992 — Jari Kurri of the Kings scores his 500th goal in an 8-6 win over the Boston Bruins. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024

Verb

Lutnick had been considered for treasury secretary, a role that has been at the center of high-profile jockeying within the Trump world. —Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 20 Nov. 2024

Inside Lebanon, the politicians who, together with Hezbollah, had driven the country into an economic ravine now began jockeying for power: Could Amal, the other main Shiite party, seize the advantage? —Kim Ghattas, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Jockey, Scots nickname for John

First Known Use

Noun

1643, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1708, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Phrases Containing jockey

• bench jockey
• desk jockey
• disc jockey
• disk jockey
• jockey club
• jockey for position

Kids 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