1
a
: something that is laid, staked, or pledged typically between two parties on the outcome of a contest or a contingent issue : wager
—often used figuratively in such phrases as all bets are off to stress the uncertainty of an outcome
b
: the act of giving such a pledge
2
: something to wager on
3
: a choice made by consideration of probabilities
your best bet is the back road
bet also betted; betting
1
a
: to stake on the outcome of an issue or the performance of a contestant
b
: to be able to be sure that
—usually used in the expression you bet
you bet I'll be there
2
a
: to maintain with or as if with a bet
b
: to make a bet with
c
: to make a bet on
: to lay a bet
between
Synonyms
Examples of bet in a Sentence
Noun
He has a bet on the game.
He made a bet with his brother that he could finish his chores first.
He and his brother have a bet about who can finish his chores first.
He lost the bet and had to pay his brother five dollars.
His brother won the bet.
He paid his brother five dollars to settle the bet.
Verb
He bet $5 on the game.
I'll bet that he makes the next shot.
He always bets that the favorite will win.
He lost a lot of money by betting on college football and basketball.
I bet against the favorite and I lost.
I wouldn't bet against her. She's very likely to win this race.
Carmakers are betting that people will want to buy larger, more expensive cars this year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adam Wescott, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Local provisions are also needed, with the overall demographic collapse literally becoming an existential bet for our future.
—Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
Lynette Rice, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024
Predictive betting website Polymarket is offering odds on the future of homicide suspect Luigi Mangione.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bet 
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show current usage.
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Noun
The company’s acquisition of Overheard in early 2023 is the company’s biggest bet to date pulling from the $21.5 million equity investment raised in 2022 led by Volition Capital.
—Adam Wescott, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Local provisions are also needed, with the overall demographic collapse literally becoming an existential bet for our future.
—Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
Bookie returns to Max December 12 with a familiar face and the appearance of two TV comedy vets who were recruited to help spice up the action around the sports betting world.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024
Predictive betting website Polymarket is offering odds on the future of homicide suspect Luigi Mangione.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bet
Dictionary Entries Near bet
Cite this Entry
“Bet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bet. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bet
1 of 2 noun1
: an agreement requiring the person whose guess about the result of a contest or the outcome of an event proves wrong to give something to a person whose guess proves right
2
: the money or thing risked
3
: a choice made by considering what might happen
our best bet is to take the back road
bet
2 of 2 verb
bet also betted; betting
1
: to risk in a bet
I'll bet a nickel
2
: to make a bet with
I bet you he won't
3
: to be certain enough to bet
I bet it will rain
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