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

Showing or describing competitive eating contests; fitness routines, sports and nutrition that are not primarily focused on extreme weight loss, marathon training or bodybuilding competitions; and religious diet behavior and fasting will still be allowed. —Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2024

Trending on Billboard Merlo, who’s been releasing music since 2014, was a second season contestant on NBC’s writing competition show Songland. —Gary Graff, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2024

The big question: How will South Hills fare in the postseason against tougher competition? —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2024

During a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday afternoon, part-owner Greg Maday said Kansas City is a place families will travel several hours by car for youth competitions. —Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2024

To win what will be a long-term competition, the United States must seize the mantle of change that China has claimed. —Elizabeth Economy, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024

In a culinary competition like this, not everything is going to come across as a winner. —Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 23 Apr. 2024

Patrick got there first, but Art wound up marrying her — and their sense of competition has only intensified since. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024

Additionally, guests will get to enjoy a slew of activities like snapping pics in Rhode's photo booth and participating in a shoot a hoop competition to win shoes from P.F. Flyers (which is launching on Revolve's website). —Brianne Tracy, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024

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

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