SWEEPSTAKES


Meaning of SWEEPSTAKES in English

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

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.