tombola

[ tom-buh-luh ]

noun

, British.

1. house ( def 20 ).

tombola

/ tɒmˈbəʊlə /

noun

1. a type of lottery, esp at a fête, in which tickets are drawn from a revolving drum

Word History and Origins

Origin of tombola¹

1875–80; < Italian, derivative of tombolare to tumble, itself derivative of tombare to fall

Word History and Origins

Origin of tombola¹

C19: from Italian, from tombolare to somersault; see tumble

Example Sentences

The little cracked bells of the tiny church have been tinkling and in front of the church is a staging for a tombola.

From Project Gutenberg

The public censor knows his business; give the Romans bread, and the circus or tombola, they will be content—forever?'

From Project Gutenberg

To attract custom and push the sale of refreshments, the proprietor of the ball ends the Sunday hop with a tombola.

From Project Gutenberg

Three old ladies in Trim decided to get up a Tombola for the poor this winter, and of course they sent Murphy a sheaf of tickets.

From Project Gutenberg

As lotteries are illegal they, being pious, hated them; anyway they decided to call it a Tombola.

From Project Gutenberg