lottery

noun

lot·​tery ˈlä-tə-rē 

also ˈlä-trē

plural lotteries

often attributive

1

a

: a drawing of lots in which prizes are distributed to the winners among persons buying a chance

b

: a drawing of lots used to decide something

2

: an event or affair whose outcome is or seems to be determined by chance

Examples of lottery in a Sentence

They held a lottery to determine who could get a green card.

Room assignments are determined by lottery.

Life's a lottery, isn't it? It all depends on luck.

Recent Examples on the Web

Items to be raffled include tickets to the Chicago Cubs/Chicago White Sox Crosstown Classic, lottery tickets, a variety of bar glasses, home decor and sportswear, according to a social media post. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

In the lottery, the first four positions are determined by the weighted drawing, with the remainder of the selections then reverting to inverse order of record. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026

In California, retailers who sell jackpot-winning lottery tickets earn a sales bonus from the state’s lottery board. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026

Second shot drawings are offered for some lottery games with pricey tickets. —Mark Price april 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French loterie, probably borrowed from Middle Dutch loterye, from loten "to draw lots" (derivative of lot "lot, prediction, destiny," going back to Germanic *hluta-) + -erye -ery — more at lot entry 1

Note: Alternatively the Middle Dutch word could have been borrowed from Middle French loterie (despite the French word's later date), perhaps a calque on Middle Dutch lotinge "action of drawing lots" (thus the Oxford English Dictionary, third edition). The earliest state-sponsored lotteries in Europe were held in the cities of Flanders in the first half of the 15th century. The first English state lottery was held in 1569, with advertisements using the word lotterie having been printed two years earlier.

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing lottery

• play the lottery
• win the lottery

Rhymes for lottery

• cautery
• pottery
• watery

Kids Definition

lottery

noun

lot·​tery ˈlät-ə-rē 

ˈlä-trē

plural lotteries

: a drawing of lots in which prizes are given to the winning names or numbers