sweepstakes

[sweep-steyks] /ˈswipˌsteɪks/
noun, (used with a singular or plural verb)
1.
a race or other contest for which the prize consists of the stakes contributed by the various competitors.
2.
the prize itself.
3.
a lottery in which winning tickets are selected at random, each winning-ticket number then being matched to one of the horses nominated for or entered in a specific race, and the amounts paid the winners being determined by the finishing order of the horses that run.
4.
lottery (def 2).
5.
any gambling transaction in which each of a number of persons contributes a stake, and the stakes are awarded to one or several winners.
6.
a risky venture that promises large rewards:
the high-tech sweepstakes.
Origin
1485-95; earlier swepestake orig., a person who won all the stakes in a game; see sweep1, stake2, -s3

sweepstake

[sweep-steyk] /ˈswipˌsteɪk/
noun
1.
a sweepstakes.
Examples from the web for sweepstakes
  • There has hardly been any good news in the global climate sweepstakes for the last decade.
  • But hurdles are opportunities for the enterprising and the race is on to win the renewable energy sweepstakes.
  • And in the natural-name arena the one product that could probably win the sweepstakes without even trying is natural gas.
  • After all, diesel is not traditionally thought of as a winner in the clean exhaust sweepstakes, nor is it known for speeds.
  • Viewers can enter sweepstakes, find nearby shops and play branded games.
  • How to protect yourself against sweepstakes scams.
  • In this scam, the con criminal makes you think you have won a great prize or sweepstakes.
  • Remember these tips the next time you get a telephone call or letter telling you you've won a prize, award, or sweepstakes.
  • Warns consumers that sweepstakes scammers may be impersonating government officials.
  • Be wary of anything that promises large sums of money, such as sweepstakes or lottery winnings, in exchange for advance payment.
British Dictionary definitions for sweepstakes

sweepstake

/ˈswiːpˌsteɪk/
noun
1.
  1. a lottery in which the stakes of the participants constitute the prize
  2. the prize itself
2.
any event involving a lottery, esp a horse race in which the prize is the competitors' stakes
Often shortened to sweep
Word Origin
C15: originally referring to someone who sweeps or takes all the stakes in a game
Word Origin and History for sweepstakes
n.

"prize won in a race or contest," 1773, from Middle English swepestake "one who sweeps or wins all the stakes in a game" (late 15c., as the name of one of the King's ships), from swepen "sweep" (see sweep (v.)) + stake (n.2).