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

Then, wearing a VR headset, the participants used a joystick to navigate through a three-dimensional maze with landmark clues to find a treasure chest at the end. —New Atlas, 27 Apr. 2025

Like most recent Fuji bodies, the X-M5 eschews a rear directional pad, instead using an eight-way joystick for both menu navigation and focus point manipulation. —PCMAG, 12 Mar. 2025

Frictionless Hall-effect joysticks also make a return. —PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025

Recording stops and starts without a hitch; the joystick movements instantly spin the motors; the rear trigger reorients the phone; and the zoom dial zooms the camera view when rotated. —PCMAG, 18 Feb. 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