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

Xbox says pricing on headsets will change in the U.S. and Canada only, and the pricing for its adaptive controller and adaptive joystick will remain the same. —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 1 May 2025

But the technician spoke for Neo and remotely guided its hands via a virtual reality headset and two wireless joysticks. —Jeremy Engle, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025

And the slightly larger-than-Switch joysticks are a bit easier to maneuver precisely, with a longer physical travel distance from center to edge. —ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2025

Many modern retro re-releases try to re-create these kinds of games with more standardized joystick and button controls, but the results can be limited at best and unplayable at worst. —Ars Technica, 9 Jan. 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