1
a
: the top prize in a game or contest (such as a lottery) that is typically a large fund of money formed by the accumulation of unwon prizes
b(1)
: a hand or game of draw poker in which a pair of jacks or better is required to open
(2)
: a large pot (as in poker) formed by the accumulation of stakes from previous play
c(1)
: a combination on a slot machine that wins a top prize or all the coins available for paying out
(2)
: the sum so won
2
: an impressive often unexpected success or reward
3
chiefly Western US
: a tight spot : jam
Examples of jackpot in a Sentence
The lottery jackpot is up to one million dollars.
a wily dude who managed to get himself out of one jackpot after another
Recent Examples on the Web
The Powerball jackpot was last won May 31, when a California player hit the $204.5 million grand prize, lottery officials said.
—
Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2025
Both of the man’s tickets were winners — his scratch-off ticket won him $1,000, while the other scored him a jackpot prize of $547,414, according to lottery officials.
—Daniella Segura, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
The pair from a Wayne County lottery club had just hit the jackpot and won $793,304, Michigan lottery officials said in a June 4 news release.
—Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
Since the jackpot was more than $200 million, the store got the full bonus.
—Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for jackpot
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Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2025
Both of the man’s tickets were winners — his scratch-off ticket won him $1,000, while the other scored him a jackpot prize of $547,414, according to lottery officials.
—Daniella Segura, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
The pair from a Wayne County lottery club had just hit the jackpot and won $793,304, Michigan lottery officials said in a June 4 news release.
—Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
Since the jackpot was more than $200 million, the store got the full bonus.
—Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for jackpot
Cite this Entry
“Jackpot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jackpot. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
jackpot
noun
jack·pot
ˈjak-ˌpät 
1
: a large poker pot formed by the accumulation of stakes from previous play
2
a
: a combination on a slot machine that wins a top prize or all the coins in the machine
b
: the sum so won
3
: a great often unexpected success or reward
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