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

In horse racing, Black jockeys won more than half of the Kentucky Derby held from 1875 to 1903 — until Jim Crow eliminated the Black jockey.

From Salon

She is believed to be jockeying for a cabinet position.

From BBC

"I thought by now 30% of professional jockeys would be women, and you don't see many women having big races in the Classics like the Derby," said Wiltshire.

From BBC

“I love what I do. It’s fun to be in horse racing, especially with big races. The Breeders’ Cup has the best horses, the best trainers, the best jockeys.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a meritocracy in that the very best reap the bulk of the reward, while the rest jockey for position, trying to grit through to the next tier.

From Los Angeles Times