jockey

American  

[jok-ee] / ˈdʒɒk i /

noun

plural

jockeys

1. a person who rides horses professionally in races.

2. Informal. a person who pilots, operates, or guides the movement of something, as an airplane or automobile.

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verb (used with object)

jockeyed, jockeying

1. to ride (a horse) as a jockey.

2. Informal. to operate or guide the movement of; pilot; drive.

3. to move, bring, put, etc., by skillful maneuvering.

   The movers jockeyed the sofa through the door.

4. to trick or cheat.

   The salesman jockeyed them into buying an expensive car.

5. to manipulate cleverly or trickily.

   He jockeyed himself into office.

verb (used without object)

jockeyed, jockeying

1. to aim at an advantage by skillful maneuvering.

2. to act trickily; seek an advantage by trickery.

jockey British  

/ ˈdʒɒkɪ /

noun

1. a person who rides horses in races, esp as a profession or for hire

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verb

1. 1. (tr) to ride (a horse) in a race

   2. (intr) to ride as a jockey

2. to try to obtain an advantage by manoeuvring, esp literally in a race or metaphorically, as in a struggle for power (esp in the phrase jockey for position )

3. to trick or cheat (a person)

Other Word Forms

• jockeyish
  adjective
• jockeylike
  adjective
• jockeyship
  noun

Etymology

Origin of jockey

First recorded in 1520–30 for an earlier sense; special use of Jock + -ey ²

Explanation

During a horse race, the riders are called jockeys. Being a jockey is an excellent career choice for someone small. Jockeys, usually male, are always small people, weighing less than 120 pounds and generally standing no more than five feet five inches tall. This keeps the horses' total weight light, allowing them to run faster. When jockey is used as a verb, it means "to struggle or compete," like when politicians jockey for dominance or kids jockey to be the first in line for a bouncy house. Jockey was originally a Scottish word for "boy."

Example Sentences

The Jockey Club, a thoroughbred registry and leading industry group, brought in consultants from McKinsey to help.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

Jockey Conor Stone-Walsh placed the 9-1 shot into third before making a move over the final fence to provide trainer Gavin Cromwell with his first success of the day.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Jockey John Velazquez got him midpack but saw a seam between horses on the far turn and rode to the lead to win by about three lengths.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 30, 2025

He was a former president and board member of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Assn. and served on the board of the Thoroughbred Owners of California and the National Jockey Club.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2025

I thought about putting Jockey shorts on them, in deference to Toronto, but decided against it.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood