sweep ‧ stake /ˈswiːpsteɪk/ BrE AmE British English , sweepstakes American English noun [countable]
[ Date: 1700-1800 ; Origin: sweepstake 'someone who takes all the winnings in a game' (15-18 centuries) , from sweep + stake ]
1 . a type of ↑ bet ting in which the winner receives all the money risked by everyone else
2 . American English a type of competition in which you have the chance to win a prize if your name is chosen
3 . American English a competition, election etc in which no one knows who will be the winner:
the presidential sweepstakes