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

With two lottery picks, the Sparks could try to pair the dominant centers or select Tennessee forward Rickea Jackson if the 6-foot-2 senior doesn’t go third to the Chicago Sky. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024

Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets. —Sara Chernikoff, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024

Make the 2024 draft count Once again, the Hornets are going to have a lottery pick. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2024

How much was the Powerball lottery jackpot for Wednesday, April 10? —Steven Martinez, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024

Raphael Romero Ruiz The Mega Millions has been on a slow climb week after week since no lucky lottery player has matched the winning numbers for the jackpot. —The Arizona Republic, 9 Apr. 2024

The five-year program combines rental assistance, direct cash payments and educational resources to participants selected through a lottery. —Ellie Silverman, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024

An individual has come forward to claim the Powerball jackpot ticket worth $1.3 billion, Oregon lottery officials announced. —Brian Brant, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024

Two Powerball players in Georgia scored big wins in the lottery game’s latest drawing. —Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024

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

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