sweepstakes
Americannoun
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a race or other contest for which the prize consists of the stakes contributed by the various competitors.
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the prize itself.
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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.
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any gambling transaction in which each of a number of persons contributes a stake, and the stakes are awarded to one or several winners.
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a risky venture that promises large rewards.
the high-tech sweepstakes.
Etymology
Origin of sweepstakes
1485–95; earlier swepestake originally, a person who won all the stakes in a game; see sweep 1, stake 2, -s 3
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.
The class-action lawsuit story is similar to the sweepstakes and lottery check scam: You are told you have won and/or been awarded money, and you can deposit this check in your bank account.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026
“I think like sweepstakes and prediction markets, everyone has lost their mind when it comes to gambling,” said Rocha.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2026
That did not sit well with some of her teammates, including a girl who was bumped from competing in the sweepstakes after posting a slower time than M.L.’s.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2025
Throw in a promotion or a sweepstakes, and we’ve got hours of content.
From Slate • Feb. 9, 2025
No raffle ticket, no Bingo, no policy slip, no clearing-house number, no magazine sweepstakes, no, nor any unpierced carnival balloon succumbed to her magic.
From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison
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.
