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.
Users can also move the onscreen joystick for precise control, with a speed wheel determining how fast the focal point moves around. New Atlas, 28 Feb. 2025 An eight-way joystick is included for pan and tilt. PCMAG, 20 Feb. 2025 The small peach represents Sunnyvale’s history as the world’s largest fruit canning city, while the the joystick reflects the video game designer, Atari, and the city’s role in the digital age. Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025 With one hand on the joystick of a ​​flying car – inspired by the 1954 Ford FX-Atmos concept road car – George Jetson raises the other to wave Jane, his wife, daughter Judy, his boy Elroy, and their dog Astro along a teal swirling raceway suspended in cotton candy clouds. Natasha Gural, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Joystick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joystick. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

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

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