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
Second to the joystick, there are few inventions more vital to the world of gaming than the mouse.
—
K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 15 July 2025
The joystick is best used to adjust altitude when hovering.
—James Abbott, Space.com, 14 July 2025
Operators can control the machine via a wireless joystick remote, or the smart saw-wielding robot can be preprogrammed to run a task automatically.
—New Atlas, 18 June 2025
Angus uses the joystick to control walking speed and direction.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for joystick
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 15 July 2025
The joystick is best used to adjust altitude when hovering.
—James Abbott, Space.com, 14 July 2025
Operators can control the machine via a wireless joystick remote, or the smart saw-wielding robot can be preprogrammed to run a task automatically.
—New Atlas, 18 June 2025
Angus uses the joystick to control walking speed and direction.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for joystick
Cite this Entry
“Joystick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joystick. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share