Check if object is a jQuery object

You can use the instanceof operator:

if (obj instanceof jQuery){
    console.log('object is jQuery');
}

Explanation: the jQuery function (aka $) is implemented as a constructor function. Constructor functions are to be called with the new prefix.

When you call $(foo), internally jQuery translates this to new jQuery(foo)¹. JavaScript proceeds to initialize this inside the constructor function to point to a new instance of jQuery, setting it’s properties to those found on jQuery.prototype (aka jQuery.fn). Thus, you get a new object where instanceof jQuery is true.

---

¹_{It’s actually new jQuery.prototype.init(foo): the constructor logic has been offloaded to another constructor function called init, but the concept is the same.}