sweepstake

[ sweep-steyk ]

noun

1. a sweepstakes.

sweepstake

/ ˈswiːpˌsteɪk /

noun

1. 1. a lottery in which the stakes of the participants constitute the prize
   2. the prize itself
2. any event involving a lottery, esp a horse race in which the prize is the competitors' stakes

Word History and Origins

Origin of sweepstake¹

C15: originally referring to someone who sweeps or takes all the stakes in a game

Example Sentences

I’m told a group of Labour staffers is eagerly holding a sweepstake about what it could be - but a source suggests, in a bleak financial situation, they stand to be sorely disappointed.

From BBC

"You only do that because you think you have to, but using a sweepstake is not a bad idea. Whether or not it will work is another whole thing. It could just as easily backfire," he told CNBC.

From BBC

"They all thought I was going to kick the bucket, but I won the sweepstake down the golf club."

From BBC

In summary, if you have India or Pakistan in the workplace sweepstake, you might be in the money.

From BBC

Keisha Schahaff joined her daughter after winning their tickets in a sweepstake.

From BBC

Related Words

• gambling
• raffle