gambling
Americannoun
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the activity or practice of playing at a game of chance for money or other stakes.
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the act or practice of risking the loss of something important by taking a chance or acting recklessly.
If you don't back up your data, that's gambling.
Etymology
Origin of gambling
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It’s getting hard to tell the difference between investing and gambling.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
And while Americans may think Nevada — home of gambling mecca Las Vegas — would be the state with the most handle, other states have overtaken the Silver State in recent years.
From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026
The Predict 2026 conference in Las Vegas was canceled by Aria casino due to concerns over its gambling license.
From Barron's • May 14, 2026
One recovering gambling addict who now volunteers for a gambling support helpline said people seeking help for addiction to prize draws and competitions was "definitely on the increase".
From BBC • May 13, 2026
According to my father, Dusty Muleman’s dream was to open a gambling boat that never left the calm and safety of its harbor.
From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
