gambling

noun

gam·​bling ˈgam-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce gambling (audio)
Synonyms of gamblingnext
: the practice or activity of betting : the practice of risking money or other stakes in a game or bet
illegal gambling
compulsive gambling
Then, within the past 18 months, after the explosion in Internet gambling … and the cable TV debut of the World Poker Tour, the game took off again.—Walter Kirn
—often used before another noun
a gambling game
gambling regulations
a gambling empire

Examples of gambling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The district can lease the property, but even then, the tenant can not run any sort of gambling operation on the site. — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2026 However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026 Exposure to industries like gambling and alcohol sales is also banned. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 2 July 2026 Kidan pleaded guilty in 2005 to fraud and conspiracy related to the purchase of a fleet of gambling boats, and in 2006 he was sentenced to nearly six years in prison. — Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for gambling

Word History

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gambling was in 1700

Phrases Containing gambling

Rhymes for gambling

See All Rhymes for gambling

Browse Nearby Words

gambler
gambling
gambling device
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gambling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gambling. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gambling

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gambling

Nglish: Translation of gambling for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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