bookmaker

noun

book·​mak·​er ˈbu̇k-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce bookmaker (audio)
1
: a printer, binder, or designer of books
2
: a person who determines odds and receives and pays off bets
bookmaking noun

Examples of bookmaker 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.
Providing the bookmakers are right and Birmingham are destined to go up this season, their financial landscape will change once again via a return to the profit and sustainability rules (PSR) employed in the Championship. Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025 It was expected to be less of a game than a slaughter: Georgia was favored by bookmakers to win the game by more than seven touchdowns. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2024 If the bookmakers are correct, Makhachev will end 2025 with the UFC title in his hands. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025 And while his statistics paled in comparison to Jackson’s, most bookmakers expect Allen to win his first NFL MVP Award this year after leading the Bills to a 13-4 record and an AFC East title despite a lesser supporting cast. Peter Sblendorio, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for bookmaker 

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bookmaker was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near bookmaker

Cite this Entry

“Bookmaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bookmaker. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

bookmaker

noun
book·​mak·​er ˈbu̇k-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce bookmaker (audio)
: a person who receives and pays off bets

Legal Definition

bookmaker

noun
book·​mak·​er ˈbu̇k-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce bookmaker (audio)
: a person who determines odds and receives and pays off bets

called also bookie

More from Merriam-Webster on bookmaker

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