jockey

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

Examples of jockey in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

American Eclipse wins in two-of-three heats, after his original jockey, William Crafts, is replaced by Samuel Purdy before the second heat. —Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026

That led Gold and Summers to take seriously the suggestion from their jockey, Lopez, to run the Preakness. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 May 2026

Booted home a length and a quarter to the good by jockey Paco Lopez, this Chad Summers trained gray colt was no doubt the best on Maryland’s biggest day of racing. —Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026

Napoleon Solo, ridden by jockey Paco Lopez, wins the 151st Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park on May 16, 2026 in Laurel, Maryland. —Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 17 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Jockey, Scots nickname for John

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing jockey

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

Rhymes for jockey

• blocky
• chalky
• cocky
• gawky
• hockey
• khaki
• machi
• maki
• rocky
• stocky
• talkie
• walkie

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