Lottery (noun)

1. A game of chance in which a large number of tickets are sold, and one or more prizes are awarded to the holders of winning numbers or symbols that are drawn at random.
2. A drawing in which a large number of prizes are awarded to the holders of winning tickets.

Origin:

Mid 16th century: from italian lotteria, from lotto "a share, a lot", from latin lottus "a lot", from ludere "to play".

Examples:

1. He bought a lottery ticket.
2. She won the lottery last week.
3. The lottery drawing is held every Wednesday.
4. The lottery had a big jackpot.
5. The school held a lottery for the new parking spots.