bookmaker

noun

book·​mak·​er ˈbu̇k-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce bookmaker (audio)
Synonyms of bookmakernext
1
: a printer, binder, or designer of books
2
: a person who determines odds and receives and pays off bets
bookmaking noun

Examples of bookmaker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Later, Native American reservations and offshore bookmakers got in on the action. Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026 This latter point is crucial as 10% of returns made by bookmakers from horse racing bets are returned to the sport via a government levy. Ian King, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026 At this stage, bookmakers Coral and Ladbrokes were offering 200-1 on a Bradford victory in the live market. Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026 In 2023, the NCAA released a study finding that 67% of college students living on campus had engaged in sports betting, 41% had bet on their school’s teams, and 35% had used a student bookmaker. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bookmaker

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bookmaker was in the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Bookmaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bookmaker. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

bookmaker

noun
book·​mak·​er ˈbu̇k-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce bookmaker (audio)
: a person who receives and pays off bets

Legal Definition

bookmaker

noun
book·​mak·​er ˈbu̇k-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce bookmaker (audio)
: a person who determines odds and receives and pays off bets

called also bookie

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