Main Entry:

sweep·stakes

Pronunciation:

\-ˌstāks\

Function:

noun plural but singular or plural in construction

Inflected Form(s):

also sweep–stake \-ˌstāk\

Etymology:

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

Date:

1774

1 a: a race or contest in which the entire prize may be awarded to the winner ; specifically : stakes race b: contest, competition2: any of various lotteries