noun
jockey
JO-kee
noun
1
A person who rides horses professionally in races.
"The jockey guided her horse to a narrow win."
2
Someone who operates or controls a particular kind of machine or role, often in compounds like "disc jockey."
"The radio jockey played nothing but requests all night."
verb
1
To maneuver skillfully for advantage, often in a competitive situation.
"The two candidates jockeyed for position ahead of the debate."
"Drivers jockeyed for the inside line before the first corner."
How to Use Jockey
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA professional horse-race rider, or — as a verb — to maneuver cleverly to gain an edge.
Common pairings
jockey for position
racehorse jockey
disc jockey
Word Forms
jockeyed past tense, jockeys plural, jockeys singular
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The _____ guided her horse to a narrow win.
Etymology
Originally a diminutive of Jock (itself a Scots form of "John"), used generically for horse-dealers and riders from the 16th century onward.