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

On July 15, OpenAI debuted the Codex Micro, a $230 square keyboard with a 12-key pad, a joystick, and neon lights. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 27 July 2026

The device also features a small joystick, likely the 13th key, that can trigger reusable Codex Skills and common workflows such as debugging an error, reviewing a pull request, or refactoring code. — New Atlas, 25 July 2026

Look to the rear for AF-ON/1, Magnify/2, Exposure Lock (*)/3, Info, Q, Play, Delete, and Set buttons, as well as a joystick to set the focus point and navigate through menus, and the combination EV control wheel and four-way d-pad. — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 17 July 2026

The joystick of the device can be used for navigation, while the rotary dial adjusts an AI agent’s reasoning level. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 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