# contest

/ˈkɑntɛst/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/contest
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a competition

noun · CEFR B1

a competition or game that people try to win.

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

- She entered a photography contest to see if she could win the grand prize.
- The local council organised a design contest to find the most innovative architectural solution for the new community centre.

### 2. a struggle for power

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: a struggle for superiority or victory between opposing forces or individuals.

- The election was a close contest between the two main political parties.
- The leadership contest revealed deep ideological divisions within the party that had been ignored for years.

### 3. to challenge a decision

verb · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: to challenge or dispute the validity or accuracy of a statement, decision, or result.

- The family decided to contest the will because they thought it was unfair.
- Lawyers for the defendant announced their intention to contest the evidence, claiming it had been obtained through illegal means.

### 4. to compete for something

verb · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: to engage in a competition or struggle in order to win or achieve something.

- Several candidates are planning to contest the seat in the upcoming election.
- The two companies continue to contest the market for high-end smartphones, each releasing new features every autumn.

## Examples

- She won first prize in the photography contest.
- The local election turned into a close contest between the two main political parties.
- The legal team filed a formal contest against the will, arguing that the deceased was not of sound mind when the document was signed.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.