First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1lot
noun \ˈlät\
: a small piece of land that is or could be used for buiding something or for some other purpose
: the buildings and land that are owned by a company that makes movies and television programs
: a small object used to choose the person who will do or receive something
Full Definition of LOT
1
: an object used as a counter in determining a question by chance
2
a : the use of lots as a means of deciding something b : the resulting choice
3
4
a : a portion of land b : a measured parcel of land having fixed boundaries and designated on a plot or survey c : a motion-picture studio and its adjoining property d : an establishment for the storage or sale of motor vehicles <a used car lot>
5
a : a number of units of an article, a single article, or a parcel of articles offered as one item (as in an auction sale) b : all the members of a present group, kind, or quantity —usually used with the <sampled the whole lot of desserts>
7
: a considerable quantity or extent <a lot of money> <lots of friends>
— all over the lot
: covering a wide or varied range <received bids all over the lot>
— a lot
1
: to a considerable degree or extent <this is a lot nicer>
2
: often, frequently <runs a lot every day>
3
: lots
See lot defined for English-language learners
See lot defined for kids
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Origin of LOT
Middle English, from Old English hlot; akin to Old High German hlōz
Related to LOT
Synonym Discussion of LOT
fate, destiny, lot, portion, doom mean a predetermined state or end. fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome <the fate of the submarine is unknown>. destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests a great or noble course or end <the country's destiny to be a model of liberty to the world>. lot and portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting blind chance <it was her lot to die childless>, portion implying the apportioning of good and evil <remorse was his daily portion>. doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate <if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain>.
2lot
verb
lot·tedlot·ting
Definition of LOT
transitive verb
2
: to form or divide into lots
First Known Use of LOT
15th century
Lot
noun \ˈlät\
Definition of LOT
: a nephew of Abraham who according to the account in Genesis escaped from the doomed city of Sodom with his wife who turned into a pillar of salt when she looked back
Origin of LOT
Hebrew Lōṭ
First Known Use: circa 1534
Lot
geographical name \ˈlät, ˈlȯt\
Definition of LOT
river 300 miles (483 kilometers) S France flowing W into the Garonne
LOT Defined for Kids
lot
noun \ˈlät\
Definition of LOT for Kids
1
: an object used in deciding something by chance or the use of such an object to decide something
2
: fate 2 <It was their lot to be poor.>
3
: a piece or plot of land <a vacant lot>
4
: a large number or amount <lots of books> <a lot of help>
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