ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: jack (I) (playing card) + pot
1.
a.
(1) : a hand of draw poker in which every player antes in order to increase the gain to the winner and in which no player may open without a pair of jacks or better
(2) : a game of draw poker in which a pair of jacks or better is required to open — compare roodle
(3) jackpots plural but singular or plural in construction : draw poker in which every pot is a jackpot
(4) : an unusually large pot (as in the game of poker) formed by accumulation of stakes from previous play in which no decision was reached
b.
(1) : a combination on a slot machine which wins for a player a top prize or all the coins in the machine ; also : the sum so won
(2) : a large fund of money or other impressive reward formed by the accumulation of unwon prizes (as in a quiz contest)
lost TV's biggest jackpot so far — Newsweek
the jackpot question
(3) : an impressive often unexpected success or reward
lecturing all over the country with an occasional jackpot in a friendly town — H.S.Canby
2.
a. : a pool or fund contributed by a number or persons
a jackpot which sent the family on their way rejoicing — Emporia (Kan.) Gazette
b. : mail for distant separations for which a postal clerk does not immediately have room in his case and which he masses together in one box or sack for later distribution when space is available
3. chiefly West : a tight spot : jam , scrape
apt to get himself and his friends into a jackpot — Ross Santee