plural jockeys
1
: a person who rides or drives a horse especially as a professional in a race
2
: a person who operates or works with a specified vehicle, device, object, or material
a bus jockey
pencil jockeys
jockeyed; jockeying
1
a
: to maneuver or manipulate by adroit or devious means
was jockeyed out of the job
b
: to change the position of by a series of movements
jockey a truck into position
3
: to deal shrewdly or fraudulently with
1
: to maneuver for advantage
—often used in the phrase jockey for position
2
: to act as a jockey
Examples of jockey in a Sentence
Verb
There was a lot of political jockeying at the fund-raiser.
The driver carefully jockeyed the truck into a narrow space in the crowded parking lot.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025
The league’s six teams — Tigres del Licey, Estrellas Orientales, Leones del Escogido, Toros del Este, Gigantes de Cibao and Águilas Cibaeñas — jockey for the top four positions in the standings to qualify for the round robin tournament that determines a champion each season.
—David Betancourt, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Peter Baker, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025
The announcement ends months of speculation and jockeying for the seat Vance held for just two years.
—Ed O'Keefe, CBS News, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for jockey 
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Noun
Sullivan addressed the argument that Greenland provides a gateway to the Arctic Ocean, which some argue is necessary as Russia and China jockey for power in the area.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025
The league’s six teams — Tigres del Licey, Estrellas Orientales, Leones del Escogido, Toros del Este, Gigantes de Cibao and Águilas Cibaeñas — jockey for the top four positions in the standings to qualify for the round robin tournament that determines a champion each season.
—David Betancourt, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
Billionaires are signing seven-figure checks and jockeying for space at the inaugural ceremony.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025
The announcement ends months of speculation and jockeying for the seat Vance held for just two years.
—Ed O'Keefe, CBS News, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for jockey
Dictionary Entries Near jockey
Cite this Entry
“Jockey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jockey. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
jockey
1 of 2 noun
jock·ey
ˈjäk-ē 
plural jockeys
1
: one who rides a horse especially as a professional in a race
2
: one who operates something
a gas-pump jockey
jockey
2 of 2 verb
jockeyed; jockeying
1
: to ride a horse as a jockey
2
: to move or manage skillfully or cleverly or so as to gain advantage
jockey a truck into position
jockeying for position
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