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

Being certified as an adjudicator by the National Dance Council America means your expertise in the art form is so wide-ranging and highly regarded that you're granted the ability to judge other professionals in national competitions. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 7 Dec. 2024

And despite an international competition to reimagine the rebuild of the cathedral’s famous spire, Mr. Macron ultimately opted to restore it to Viollet-le-Duc’s conception. —Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Dec. 2024

These are yardstick games because the Rams and Chargers can size up their chances against top-shelf competition — and because losing would feel to them like a ruler rapping across the knuckles. —Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

The event is the culmination of season-long competition where marching band halftime shows are adjudicated by a panel of marching band experts. —Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 6 Dec. 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