Slang definitions & phrases for joy-stick Expand. noun. 1  The control lever of an airplane (1910+) 2  The steering wheel of a car, esp a hot rod (1950s+ Hot rodders) 3  The control lever for a computer or video game (1967+) 4  An opium pipe (1940s+ Narcotics) ( also joy-knob) The penis (1920+)