jackpot

American  

[jak-pot] / ˈdʒækˌpɒt /

noun

• jackpots
  plural

1. the chief prize or the cumulative stakes in a game or contest, as in bingo, a quiz contest, or a slot machine.

2. Poker. a pot that accumulates until a player opens the betting with a pair of predetermined denomination, usually jacks or better.

3. an outstanding reward or success.

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idioms

1. hit the jackpot,

   1. to achieve a sensational success; have sudden luck.

      The firm has hit the jackpot with its new line of computers.

   2. to win a jackpot.

jackpot British  

/ ˈdʒækˌpɒt /

noun

1. any large prize, kitty, or accumulated stake that may be won in gambling, such as a pool in poker that accumulates until the betting is opened with a pair of jacks or higher

2. 1. to win a jackpot

   2. informal to achieve great success, esp through luck

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jackpot More Idioms  

1. see hit the jackpot.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• jackpots
  plural

Etymology

Origin of jackpot

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; of uncertain origin

Explanation

A jackpot is a pile of money won during a game such as a poker. It's also any example of good fortune. Originally, a jackpot was a pile of money in poker that accumulated until someone produced a pair of jacks (or something better). These days, a jackpot is any kind of prize, winnings, or success. If you get a high-paying job, you hit the jackpot. If you married a wonderful person, you hit the jackpot. Sometimes a jackpot is specific to a game, like the money won from a hand of 21, but any good fortune can be considered a jackpot.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

jackpot jackpots

But if the agreement passes muster in court, it will let J&J move on from endless legal costs and the uncertainty of jackpot jury verdicts to providing health products for American consumers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

Father-of-two Canty, from Tiptree, made headlines when he scooped the £1m EuroMillions jackpot in May 2020.

From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2026

It wasn’t long after their final interview, held over dinner at Spago in Beverly Hills, that Kroenke understood he’d hit the jackpot.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 29, 2026

And sometimes — the true jackpot — there’s a crusty half-loaf of sourdough, which instantly checks off one of my weekly anchor ingredients for just a few dollars.

From Salon ● May 22, 2026

Then she put in another nickel and almost won the jackpot.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

Nevadans have been known to drive for several miles and wait in long lines to buy Powerball tickets, particularly when jackpots creep into 10 figures.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2026

And backers of AI companies have billions, if not trillions, of reasons to hope their gambles aren’t just once-in-a-generation jackpots, but once in a human existence.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 18, 2026

In fact, in the case of the 50 largest lottery jackpots claimed to date, the prize has been split by two or more winners 10 times.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 22, 2025

Four Mega Millions jackpots were won earlier this year, and Friday’s drawing will be the 40th since the last win in June.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 12, 2025

More people have won lottery jackpots than flown in space.

From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson

Related Words

• prize