lottery

/ˈlɑdəri/

/ˈlɒtəri/

Other forms: lotteries

A lottery is a contest where players buy tickets and have a random (and low) chance of winning. Finding true love and getting hit by lightning are often said to be as likely as winning the lottery.

A lottery can be a state-run contest promising big bucks to the lucky winners, or a lottery can also be any contest where the winners are selected at random. For example, some schools choose students by using a lottery system. Regardless of the type of lottery, a lottery works where there is great demand for something and only a limited number of winners.

Definitions of lottery

1. noun

   players buy (or are given) chances and prizes are distributed by casting lots
   synonyms: drawing

   types:

   tombola

   a lottery in which tickets are drawn from a revolving drum

   lucky dip

   a game in which prizes (e.g., candies or coins) are concealed in a container and for a small sum a player can draw one out at random

   numbers, numbers game, numbers pool, numbers racket

   an illegal daily lottery

   raffle

   a lottery in which the prizes are goods rather than money

   sweepstakes

   a lottery in which the prize consists of the money paid by the participants

   type of:

   gambling game, game of chance

   a game that involves gambling
2. noun

   something that is regarded as a chance event
   “the election was just a lottery to them”

   type of:

   accident, chance event, fortuity, stroke

   anything that happens suddenly or by chance without an apparent cause