competition

noun

com·​pe·​ti·​tion ˌkäm-pə-ˈti-shən 

1

: the act or process of competing : rivalry: such as

a

: the effort of two or more parties acting independently to secure the business of a third party by offering the most favorable terms

contractors in competition for the contract to build the new school

b

: active demand by two or more organisms or kinds of organisms for some environmental resource in short supply

the interspecies competition for food

2

: a contest between rivals

a gymnastics competition

also : one's competitors

faced tough competition

Synonyms

• bout
• contest
• event
• game
• match
• matchup
• meet
• sweepstakes
• sweep-stake
• tournament
• tourney

Examples of competition in a Sentence

Prices are lower when there is competition among the stores.

Don't let the competition know our trade secrets.

They had a competition to see who could sell the most lemonade.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, Glenn stated that competition will exist at every position on the team. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025

The message from executive leadership, from Sonntag to U.S. Ski & Snowboard president and CEO Sophie Goldschmidt, was clear: Sun Valley hosting the World Cup finals represented a chance for the U.S. to show the world that American resorts can host world-class competition. —Michelle Bruton, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

The order directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to work with Attorney General Pam Bondi to ensure competition laws are enforced in the concert and entertainment industry. —Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025

Mike White was released before the 2024 season after losing preseason competition to Thompson. —David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin competition-, competitio, from Latin competere — see compete

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing competition

• in competition with
• the competition

Rhymes for competition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition
• deposition

Kids Definition

competition

noun

com·​pe·​ti·​tion ˌkäm-pə-ˈtish-ən 

1

: the act or process of competing

2

a

: a contest between rivals

b

: rivalry

c

: an individual or group one is competing against

look over the competition

3

: the effort of persons or firms to attract business by offering the most favorable terms

4

: the active seeking after and use of an environmental resource (as food) in limited supply by two or more plants or animals or kinds of plants and animals