Definition of jackpot
1a. 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
3chiefly Western US. a tight spot. jam
First Known Use: 1865
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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 of jackpot from the Web
The Republican gamble to stiff-arm Merrick Garland and hold open Justice Antonin Scalia’s seat appears to have hit the jackpot .
The games are popular because Illinois bands together with other states to offer bigger jackpots than just one state could.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court on Friday overturned the conviction of a lottery employee implicated in a nationwide fixing scandal, saying his trial over a rigged $16.5 million Iowa jackpot was tainted by a dawdling investigation.
He is believed to have died while searching for the $2 million jackpot buried by Santa Fe author Forrest Fenn.
In May, a $105,000 Fantasy 5 jackpot went unclaimed.
The Winery could expand even further in the coming years now that Lewis has hit the draft jackpot .
In many cases, Facebook founders not withstanding, the wealth creators spend a big chunk of their lives - if lucky - hitting the jackpot .
Katrina Bookman hit a $43 million jackpot while playing a slot machine in August 2016.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'jackpot'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback .