photo finish

noun

1

: a race or finish in which contestants are so close that a photograph of them as they cross the finish line has to be examined to determine the winner

2

: a close contest

Examples of photo finish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump is in what appears to be a photo finish race against Vice President Kamala Harris, less than two weeks until Election Day. —Nidia Cavazos, CBS News, 25 Oct. 2024

But 30 seconds later, after the photo finish was official, American phenom Noah Lyles saw his name on top, stretched his arms, and ripped off his bib to show off. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2024

And that could mean Trump is indeed headed to a photo finish on Election Day. —Sarah Bedford, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Nov. 2024

The 2024 election is heading for a photo finish, and Democrats believe their foes just gave them a critical leg up. —Andrew Solender, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

photo finish

noun

1

: a finish of a race in which contestants are so close that a photograph of them crossing the finish line has to be examined to decide the winner

2

: a close contest (as in an election)