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
If two or more people win the jackpot in the same drawing, the money is shared equally among all winning tickets.
—
Tanya Wildt, Freep.com, 11 July 2025
The odds of winning a prize in Powerball are 1 in 24.9, whereas the odds of winning the jackpot — which, on July 9, is estimated to be $216 million — are 1 in 292,201,338.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 11 July 2025
Another gambler recently hit a jackpot in Las Vegas.
—Helena Wegner
july 11, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2025
For an additional $1, players can add the Megaplier to potentially increase their winnings outside of the jackpot.
—Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for jackpot
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Tanya Wildt, Freep.com, 11 July 2025
The odds of winning a prize in Powerball are 1 in 24.9, whereas the odds of winning the jackpot — which, on July 9, is estimated to be $216 million — are 1 in 292,201,338.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 11 July 2025
Another gambler recently hit a jackpot in Las Vegas.
—Helena Wegner
july 11, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2025
For an additional $1, players can add the Megaplier to potentially increase their winnings outside of the jackpot.
—Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 11 July 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 18 Jul. 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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