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Definition of sweepstake

sweepstake

/ˈswiːpsteɪk/
sweep · stake
Plural:sweepstakes
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sweepstake Lexical Profile

sweepstake Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A form of gambling, especially on sporting events such as horse races, in which the entire prize pool made up of participants' contributions is awarded to the winner or a small group of winners.

Example

"Everyone in the office contributed five dollars to the annual tournament sweepstake."

2

A promotional contest or drawing in which prizes are given away at random to participants without requiring a purchase.

Example

"She entered the magazine's summer sweepstake and won a trip to Hawaii."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for sweepstake

Word Nuance & Usage

In British English, the singular form 'sweepstake' is standard when referring to a single competition, whereas in American English, the plural-looking form 'sweepstakes' is almost always used for both singular and plural contexts.

• Nearby Words

sweeping
sweepingly
sweepings
sweepstake
sweepstakes
sweet
sweet alyssum

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in Late Middle English from 'sweep' and 'stake', originally denoting a person who 'sweeps' (gathers up) all the 'stakes' (wagers) on a gaming table.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sweepstake. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sweepstake
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