What does lotting mean?
Lotting is the practice of assigning or choosing something by chance, usually by drawing lots or using another impartial random method. It is commonly used when a scarce resource must be shared fairly among applicants, as with plots of land, housing, or places on a course. As a verb, lotting describes the allocation process; as a noun, it names that process. The practice carries a generally neutral or positive connotation because it suggests equal opportunity, although critics may regard it as arbitrary or insufficient when applicants differ in need or suitability. Lotting should be understood as a decision made through a lottery rather than through personal preference. In British usage, the term has a notable historical association with the distribution of former public housing to tenants.
To allocate or choose something by drawing lots or by another method based on chance.
"The trustees decided to begin lotting the remaining plots among the tenants."
Usually used when the allocation must be random and impartial.
The allocation or selection of something by a lottery or another chance-based method.
"The housing lotting was completed in a single afternoon."
The noun is less frequent than the verb and is especially associated with housing and land allocation in British English.
Lotting turns chance into a procedure: when no candidate is favored, a properly conducted lot can make the selection impartial.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lotting come from?
The word ultimately comes from Old English hlot, meaning a share or portion, and developed in Middle English as lot, a share assigned by chance. The related Germanic forms include Old Norse hlutr, German Los, and Icelandic hlutur. The present participle lotting was formed directly from lot by adding the suffix -ing and doubling the final consonant.
Related word forms
How lotting is actually used
The noun use is less common than the verb form. In British English, lotting is also associated with the allocation of housing, particularly former council houses sold under right-to-buy schemes.