jockey

[jok-ee]

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.

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

/ ˈdʒɒkɪ /

noun

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

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

• jockeylike adjective
• jockeyish adjective
• jockeyship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of jockey¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of jockey¹

C16 (in the sense: lad): from name Jock + _-ey

Example Sentences

Jim Crist, 71, a volunteer, signaled the start and reminded everyone jockeying for position on a muddy slope to stay hydrated.

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But the banks are jockeying for the two lead roles, which come with bigger fees.

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There are few roles in horse racing, besides trainer or jockey, that Siegel didn’t perform since he first got a job in the publicity department at Hollywood Park in 1974.

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Others jockeying for contention are pitching themselves as offering a breath of fresh air.

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He lost sleep while sharing a cell and an open toilet with other men who would jockey at night for space to sleep on the cold concrete floor.

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