sweepstakes

noun

sweep·​stakes ˈswēp-ˌstāks 

also sweep-stake ˈswēp-ˌstāk  ; 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

b

: contest, competition

2

: any of various lotteries

Synonyms

• contest
• competition
• battle

Examples of sweepstakes in a Sentence

in last week's box office sweepstakes a quirky little comedy handily bested Hollywood's latest special effects extravaganza

regards the music awards as nothing more than a popularity sweepstakes

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

Rhymes for sweepstakes

• overtakes
• rattlesnakes
• undertakes
• aches
• bakes
• brakes
• breaks
• cakes
• drakes
• fakes
• flakes
• jakes

Kids Definition

sweepstakes

noun

sweep·​stakes ˈswēp-ˌstāks 

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

b

: contest entry 2, competition

2

: any of various lotteries