sweepstakes

[ sweep-steyks ]

noun

, (used with a singular or plural verb)

1. a race or other contest for which the prize consists of the stakes contributed by the various competitors.
2. the prize itself.
3. a lottery in which winning tickets are selected at random, each winning-ticket number then being matched to one of the horses nominated for or entered in a specific race, and the amounts paid the winners being determined by the finishing order of the horses that run.
4. lottery ( def 2 ).
5. any gambling transaction in which each of a number of persons contributes a stake, and the stakes are awarded to one or several winners.
6. a risky venture that promises large rewards:

   the high-tech sweepstakes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sweepstakes¹

1485–95; earlier swepestake originally, a person who won all the stakes in a game; sweep ¹, stake ², -s ³

Example Sentences

The publisher’s direct-to-consumer ad product that sends brand-sponsored and editorially-curated items to sweepstakes winners has brought in seven figures of revenue in its first year, according to Geoff Schiller, Group Nine’s chief revenue officer.

From Digiday

Aside from the music video, 7-Eleven is also looking to find “aspiring social media influencers who are trying to grow their audience” via a sweepstakes program called Fuel Your Fandom, explained Jarratt.

From Digiday

Isaacman, who is also a jet pilot licensed to fly commercial and military aircraft, assembled this team himself from a sweepstakes, with each crew member embodying a different aspirational characteristic.

From Popular-Science

That partnership brought in not only $100 million promised by Jared Issacman, the billionaire commander of the flight, but a further $16 million through such initiatives as a sweepstakes to win a chance at joining Issacman as part of his crew.

From Time

The third will be selected at random through a sweepstakes, and the last seat will go to the winner of a competition.

From Washington Post

The sweepstakes begins on December 9th, 2014 at 8:00 AM EST and ends on January 31st, 2015 at 11:59 EST (the "Entry Period").

From The Daily Beast

APPLICABLE LAWS AND JURISDICTION: This Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

From The Daily Beast

Family Dollar shoppers entered the sweepstakes in stores, online and using text messaging.

From The Daily Beast

This sweepstakes is sponsored by The Daily Beast Company LLC, 555 W. 18th St., NY, NY 10011 (“Sponsor”).

From The Daily Beast

The sweepstakes begins on 2/3/14 at 3:00PM EST and ends on 2/7/14 at 6:00PM EST (the "Entry Period").

From The Daily Beast

Theres something in that; good training is always desirable, whether the race be for place, cup, or sweepstakes.

From Project Gutenberg

The Cup is a handicap sweepstakes of twenty sovs., the distance being two miles, and the added money only £500.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, the young Sweepstakes and Lady Diana will talk enough about it; that's one comfort.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, the young Sweepstakes and Lady Diana will talk enough about it, that's one comfort.

From Project Gutenberg

A little band of children, who had been mustered by Lady Diana Sweepstakes' spirited exertions, closed the procession.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• betting
• chance
• long shot
• odds
• pledge
• risk
• speculation
• stake
• venture
• wager