First Known Use: 1567
Dictionary
lottery
noun, lot·tery often attributive \ˈlä-tə-rē also ˈlä-trē\
: a way of raising money for a government, charity, etc., in which many tickets are sold and a few of the tickets are chosen by chance to win prizes
: a system used to decide who will get or be given something by choosing names or numbers by chance
: an event or situation in which what happens is decided by luck or chance
plural lot·ter·ies
Full Definition of LOTTERY
1
a : a drawing of lots in which prizes are distributed to the winners among persons buying a chance b : a drawing of lots used to decide something
2
: an event or affair whose outcome is or seems to be determined by chance
See lottery defined for English-language learners
See lottery defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of LOTTERY
Middle French loterie, from Middle Dutch, from lot lot; akin to Old English hlot lot
LOTTERIES Defined for Kids
lottery
noun lot·tery \ˈlä-tə-rē\
plural lot·ter·ies
Definition of LOTTERY for Kids
: a way of raising money in which many tickets are sold and a few of these are drawn to win prizes
Learn More About LOTTERY
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: lottery bondPrevious Word in the Dictionary: lotterAll Words Near: lottery
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up lottery? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).