# jockey

/ˈdʒɑki/ (US) · /dʒˈɒki/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/jockey
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. horse rider

noun · CEFR B2

a person who rides horses in professional races as a job.

For teachers: a professional rider of racehorses, typically small and light in stature.

- The jockey wore bright green and yellow silks so the owner could see him during the race.
- After the final jump, the jockey urged the horse forward, securing a narrow victory in the closing seconds of the Grand National.

### 2. operator of machinery

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a person who operates a specific machine or piece of equipment.

For teachers: an operator of a particular vehicle, machine, or apparatus; frequently used in compounds like 'desk jockey' or 'disc jockey'.

- He spent ten years as a computer jockey before deciding to work outdoors.
- The term 'desk jockey' is often used pejoratively to describe office workers who spend their entire day performing repetitive administrative tasks.

### 3. to maneuver for position

verb · CEFR B2

to move or change positions skillfully to get an advantage over others.

For teachers: to maneuver or struggle for a particular position or advantage, often involving subtle or competitive movements.

- The photographers were jockeying for the best spot to take a picture of the president.
- As the election approached, several junior ministers began jockeying for position within the cabinet, hoping to secure a promotion in the reshuffle.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'for'.

## Examples

- The jockey wore bright green silk for the big race.
- After years of training, the young jockey finally won her first major trophy at the national derby.
- The success of a racehorse depends as much on the tactical intelligence of the jockey as it does on the animal's raw speed and endurance.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.