jog
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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to move or shake with a push or jerk.
The horseman jogged the reins lightly.
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to cause to function with a jolt for a moment or in a series of disconnected motions.
He jogged the motor and started the machine.
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to push slightly, as to arouse the attention; nudge.
She jogged his elbow when she wanted to be introduced to one of his friends.
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to stir or jolt into activity or alertness, as by a hint or reminder.
to jog a person's memory.
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to cause (a horse) to go at a steady trot.
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Printing. to align the edges of (a stack of sheets of paper of the same size) by gently tapping.
verb (used without object)
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to run at a leisurely, slow pace, especially as an outdoor exercise.
He jogs two miles every morning to keep in shape.
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to run or ride at a steady trot.
They jogged to the stable.
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to move with a jolt or jerk.
Her briefcase jogged against her leg as she walked.
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to go or travel with a jolting pace or motion.
The clumsy cart jogged down the bumpy road.
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to go in a desultory or humdrum fashion (usually followed by on oralong ).
He just jogged along, getting by however he could.
noun
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a shake; slight push; nudge.
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a steady trot, as of a horse.
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an act, instance, or period of jogging.
to go for a jog before breakfast.
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a jogging pace.
He approached us at a jog.
noun
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an irregularity of line or surface; projection; notch.
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a bend or turn.
a country road full of sudden jogs.
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Theater. a narrow flat placed at right angles to another flat to make a corner, used especially in sets representing an interior.
verb (used without object)
verb
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(intr) to run or move slowly or at a jog trot, esp for physical exercise
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(intr; foll by on or along) to continue in a plodding way
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(tr) to jar or nudge slightly; shake lightly
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(tr) to remind; stimulate
please jog my memory
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(tr) printing to even up the edges of (a stack of paper); square up
noun
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the act of jogging
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a slight jar or nudge
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a jogging motion; trot
noun
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a sharp protruding point in a surface; jag
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a sudden change in course or direction
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of jog1
First recorded in 1540–50; origin uncertain; perhaps a blend of jot “to jog” (now dialectal) + shog ( def. )
Origin of jog2
First recorded in 1705–15; variant of jag 1
Explanation
When you jog, you run at a moderate pace, usually to get exercise. If you jog down the street, you'll pass people who are walking and be passed by people who are sprinting. Jog can be a verb, or a noun meaning a slow-paced run: "She moved at a lazy jog around the track, in no hurry to improve her time." A jog is slower than a flat-out run. Yet another way to use the word is to mean "nudge one's memory." A courtroom attorney might hold up a piece of evidence in front of a witness and say, "Perhaps this will jog your memory."
Vocabulary lists containing jog
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
After their jog, Gallardo told Barrio Athletics runners that he had no ill intent when he chose Leimert Park.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
Burnham has also chatted while on a jog with popular athlete Farah, who has millions of followers across social media platforms.
From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026
And then there’s Early, who opens the film running through the streets on Maddie’s morning jog to work.
From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026
Star players like Rudiger and Davies hope to jog people's memories as they turn out for the nations which welcomed them and their families.
From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2026
It was hard trying to jog in the snow, and I began to sweat.
From "My Brother Sam is Dead" by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
With Boro leading 1-0 in the 80th minute through a Lankshear goal, the striker slowly jogged off the pitch while clapping the fans.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
Tucker jogged off the field into the dugout, his hand on his right side as he talked to hitting coach Aaron Bates.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026
They kept up their discussions well past midnight, then often jogged together the next morning.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026
All Chelsea's outfield players jogged over to the technical area to get instructions.
From BBC ● Apr. 27, 2026
Then I jogged to the garage and my lawn mower.
From "Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen
"When you're bleeding, you want to be doing steady-pace jogging, Pilates, barre, walking, resting," she tells viewers.
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
The end of the summer practices for San Clemente involves jogging from campus 1.8 miles to the San Clemente Pier.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
She and her friends go jogging in groups for their safety.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
Elon Musk loves to show off his Optimus prototype, recently filmed jogging in short strides.
From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026
He came jogging up the steps and handed me a bagel wrapped in tinfoil.
From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
