sweepstakes

noun

sweep·​stakes ˈswēp-ˌstāks How to pronounce sweepstakes (audio)
also sweep-stake ˈswēp-ˌstāk How to pronounce sweepstakes (audio) ; singular or plural in construction
1
a
: a race or contest in which the entire prize may be awarded to the winner
specifically : stakes race
2
: any of various lotteries

Examples of sweepstakes in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web To learn more about the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition sweepstakes and all award winners, visit SFChronicle.com/WineComp2023. San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Jan. 2023 For more information on the auction and sweepstakes, visit charitybuzz.com. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 16 May 2022 For more than 10 years, Meinecke entered all kinds of sweepstakes and contests including Publishers Clearing House ones. Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2023 These initiatives include paid advertising efforts, email marketing and synergy initiatives, promotional partnerships, sweepstakes and experiential events. Carson Burton, Variety, 29 Aug. 2022 In order to enter the sweepstakes, social media users need to follow Pepsi on Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and join in the fun by sharing a photo or video of their Pilk and Cookies. Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 1 Dec. 2022 Shoppers can also enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a $500 Aldi gift card. William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 9 June 2022 The race is on, for sure, to win the irregular baseball sweepstakes. Ray Glier, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2021 In the girls’ sweepstakes, Rancho Cucamonga won the team title. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sweepstakes.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English swepestake one who wins all the stakes in a game, from swepen to sweep + stake

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sweepstakes was in 1774

Dictionary Entries Near sweepstakes

Cite this Entry

“Sweepstakes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweepstakes. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sweepstakes

noun
sweep·​stakes ˈswēp-ˌstāks How to pronounce sweepstakes (audio)
variants also sweep-stake
-ˌstāk
plural sweepstakes also sweep-stakes
1
a
: a race or contest in which the entire prize may be awarded to the winner
2
: any of various lotteries

More from Merriam-Webster on sweepstakes

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