joystick

noun

joy·​stick ˈjȯi-ˌstik 

1

: a lever in an airplane that operates the elevators by a fore-and-aft motion and the ailerons by a side-to-side motion

2

: a control for any of various devices (such as a computer) that resembles an airplane's joystick especially in being capable of motion in two or more directions

Examples of joystick in a Sentence

This game works with either a mouse or joystick.

Recent Examples on the Web

These are shaped like a standard joystick and are tailored to the user’s hand. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025

Once activated, an external magnet mounted on a robotic arm steers the capsule with precision, guiding it like a joystick to the target area. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025

Control buttons on the stand include the on-screen display joystick, the webcam kill switch, and the power button on the right edge, plus the monitor mode switch button on the left edge. —PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025

Users can also operate the gimbal's motor manually via its joystick control, or simply swish the whole rig back and forth/up and down by hand. —New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from English slang joystick penis

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for joystick

• broomstick
• dipstick
• homesick
• lipstick
• nonstick
• pickwick
• picnic
• redbrick
• seasick
• sidekick
• slapstick
• toothpick

Kids Definition

joystick

noun

joy·​stick -ˌstik 

: a control lever for a device (as a computer display or an airplane) that allows motion in two or more directions