joystick
Joystick (noun) means a hand-operated lever used to control machinery, video games, or aircraft. Example: “He steered the drone using a small joystick.”
How to use joystick
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA control lever, most familiar today from video game controllers and flight sticks.
Word forms
joysticked past tense, joysticks plural, joysticks singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He steered the drone using a small _____.
Etymology
From joy plus stick, first recorded around 1910 as "joy-stick" for an airplane's control stick. The exact connection to "joy" isn't clear.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “joystick” mean?
The word “joystick” means a hand-operated lever used to control machinery, video games, or aircraft. In plain terms, a control lever, most familiar today from video game controllers and flight sticks.
How do you pronounce “joystick”?
“Joystick” is pronounced JOY-stihk (/ˈd͡ʒɔɪ.stɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “joystick” in a sentence?
Here is “joystick” used in a sentence: “He steered the drone using a small joystick.”
What part of speech is “joystick”?
“Joystick” is a noun.
Where does the word “joystick” come from?
The word “joystick” dates back to around 1910. From joy plus stick, first recorded around 1910 as "joy-stick" for an airplane's control stick. The exact connection to "joy" isn't clear.