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

When the heist became public and the lottery tried to stop him, people quickly chose sides. —Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 2026

The trend started to change last year, when college players dominated the lottery selections. —Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026

The jackpot winner on Tuesday, March 10, was the first person to win the Mega Millions jackpot in 2026, according to the lottery. —Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026

Meanwhile, no Pacers players scored more than 16 points, though all five Indiana starters scored in double figures, with former Knicks lottery pick Obi Topping scoring 15 points in 18 minutes off the bench. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 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