beauty contest
noun
1
a
: an assemblage of girls or women at which judges select the most beautiful
called also beauty pageant
b
: a contest or competitive situation that is likened to a traditional beauty contest especially in involving judgments made on the basis of physical attractiveness or popular appeal
… an elite automotive expo and beauty contest where cars of only the highest caliber …—Hannah Elliott
2
US politics
: a presidential primary election in which the popular vote does not determine the number of convention delegates a candidate receives
Mr. Ford and Mr. Reagan are listed in the Republican preferential primary or "beauty contest."—Charles Mohr
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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