joystick

noun

joy·​stick ˈjȯi-ˌstik How to pronounce joystick (audio)
1
: a lever in an airplane that operates the elevators by a fore-and-aft motion and the ailerons by a side-to-side motion
2
: a control for any of various devices (such as a computer) that resembles an airplane's joystick especially in being capable of motion in two or more directions

Examples of joystick in a Sentence

This game works with either a mouse or joystick.
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.
The keypad itself has 12 mechanical buttons, one clickable knob in the upper-left corner, and a planar joystick in the upper-right corner. — Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026 The drone itself can be controlled via the power station, a companion app, or a joystick. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 29 July 2026 On July 15, OpenAI debuted the Codex Micro, a $230 square keyboard with a 12-key pad, a joystick, and neon lights. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 27 July 2026 The joystick of the device can be used for navigation, while the rotary dial adjusts an AI agent’s reasoning level. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for joystick

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from English slang joystick penis

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of joystick was in 1910

Rhymes for joystick

See All Rhymes for joystick

Browse Nearby Words

joysome
joystick
JP
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Cite this Entry

“Joystick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joystick. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

joystick

noun
joy·​stick -ˌstik How to pronounce joystick (audio)
: a control lever for a device (as a computer display or an airplane) that allows motion in two or more directions

More from Merriam-Webster on joystick

Nglish: Translation of joystick for Spanish Speakers

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