1
: athlete sense 1
especially : a school or college athlete
2
: a person devoted to a single pursuit or interest
computer jocks
3
4
: pilot
especially : a fighter pilot

jock

2 of 2

noun (2)

Examples of jock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Duffy, for his part, came across as a real jerk at times, but surprisingly charming at others, with a half-nerd, half-jock mien—sweepy hair, big glasses, a megawatt smile—that put me in mind of a Wisconsin Sam Seaborn. Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026 This schedule creates the possibility to estimate players’ jock taxes for the 2026 NFL season. Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Each character serving Saturday detention at Shermer High in The Breakfast Club is an archetype, a jock or a nerd or a princess. Al Shipley, SPIN, 4 Aug. 2026 Sounds heavy — but that communication can include something ebullient, too, and Withers played Teddy with the sort of bonhomie that some former jocks still keep well after high school. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jock

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

short for jockstrap

Noun (2)

by shortening

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1922, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun (2)

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of jock was in 1826

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jock. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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