Sweepstake
/ˈswiːp.steɪk/noun
A contest or lottery in which the winner takes all or a major prize.
Did you know?The word began as gambling language: in early use, the winner could literally “sweep” all the stakes from the table, which is why it still feels so all-or-nothing today.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
swēopan
“to sweep, wipe away”
Old English
OE
staca
“stake, post, pointed stick”
16th Century
English
swepestake
“a contest or wager in which the winner takes the stakes”
17th Century
English
sweepstake
“a gambling game or contest with pooled stakes”
Modern English
English
sweepstake
“a lottery or contest in which prizes are awarded by chance”