jockey

[ jok-ee ]

noun

, plural jock·eys.

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)

, jock·eyed, jock·ey·ing.

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)

, jock·eyed, jock·ey·ing.

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. introften foll byfor 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 Words From

• jockey·like jockey·ish adjective
• jockey·ship 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

Karen Wiltshire had just been hit on the bottom with a whip by a rival jockey during a race.

From BBC

She was overlooked for rides, verbally abused and ridiculed by other staff at her stables, but still went on to become the first professional jockey to ride a winner in British Flat racing when, aged 22, she guided The Goldstone to victory at Salisbury in 1978.

From BBC

Owners might initially frown on a woman being a jockey.

From BBC

While opportunities have improved, Wiltshire said she was not surprised there had been a recent high-profile case of sexism in British racing, with Robbie Dunne completing a 10-month ban two years ago for bullying fellow jockey Bryony Frost, who now rides in France.

From BBC

It was winning Irish jockey Robbie Dolan's first ride in the event, but a second victory for New Zealand trainer Sheila Laxon.

From BBC