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

Standard joystick controls force an operator to translate every wrist flick into cabin rotation, arm extension, or bucket movement, an unnatural mapping that engineers call a mental model. — New Atlas, 21 Aug. 2026

An all-time great joystick controller, resurrected with supposedly identical features and attention to detail, plus a little extra resilience. — David Pierce, The Verge, 15 Aug. 2026

No joystick will control them, and no human will approve each turn. — Wanjiku Chebet Kanjumba, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026

The joystick doesn’t support any customization and lacks an explanation of its controls in the app. — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026

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