English Reference
noun · verb

contest

n. · v.
US /ˈkɑntɛst/ con·test UK spelling contests

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    n.a competition or game that people try to win.

    n.an event in which people compete for supremacy in a particular field or to win a prize.

    Simple

    She entered a photography contest to see if she could win the grand prize.

    In context

    The local council organised a design contest to find the most innovative architectural solution for the new community centre.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.a struggle or fight between two people or groups to see who is better or stronger.

    n.a struggle for superiority or victory between opposing forces or individuals.

    Simple

    The election was a close contest between the two main political parties.

    In context

    The leadership contest revealed deep ideological divisions within the party that had been ignored for years.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to say formally that you do not agree with something and try to change it.

    v.to challenge or dispute the validity or accuracy of a statement, decision, or result.

    Simple

    The family decided to contest the will because they thought it was unfair.

    In context

    Lawyers for the defendant announced their intention to contest the evidence, claiming it had been obtained through illegal means.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to compete for a position or to try to win an election.

    v.to engage in a competition or struggle in order to win or achieve something.

    Simple

    Several candidates are planning to contest the seat in the upcoming election.

    In context

    The two companies continue to contest the market for high-end smartphones, each releasing new features every autumn.

    competecontendfight for

Usage contest to domestic

On paper, it is a contest over who will run a state of about 4.7 million people.

Al Jazeera· 14 Aug 2026

The Black Sea location has been selected after Bulgarian singer Dara won this year's contest.

BBC News· 13 Aug 2026

PIE word *tréyes From French contester, from Old French, from Latin contestor (“to call to witness”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin contestor
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated