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

• ball game
• battle
• combat
• competition
• conflict
• confrontation
• contention
• contest
• dogfight
• duel
• face-off
• grapple
• match
• rivalry
• strife
• struggle
• tug-of-war
• war
• warfare

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

Recent Examples on the Web

To learn more about the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition sweepstakes and all award winners, visit SFChronicle.com/WineComp2023. —San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Jan. 2023

For more information on the auction and sweepstakes, visit charitybuzz.com. —Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 16 May 2022

For more than 10 years, Meinecke entered all kinds of sweepstakes and contests including Publishers Clearing House ones. —Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2023

These initiatives include paid advertising efforts, email marketing and synergy initiatives, promotional partnerships, sweepstakes and experiential events. —Carson Burton, Variety, 29 Aug. 2022

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

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