What does "rivalry" mean?

1. (ongoing competition) a long-term competition between people or groups who want the same thing or want to be better than each other. 2. (economic consumption) the quality of a product that means only one person can use it at a time.

How do you use "rivalry"?

Often used to distinguish 'rivalrous' goods from 'non-rivalrous' public goods like clean air.

rivalry

US //ˈɹaɪvəɫɹi// UK //ɹˈaɪvəlɹi// ri·val·ry

1 ongoing competition (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a long-term competition between people or groups who want the same thing or want to be better than each other.

a state of persistent competition or antagonism between parties, often characterized by a history of mutual challenge.

Example

The intense rivalry between the two local football teams has lasted for decades.

Example

The sibling rivalry between the two brothers eventually evolved into a productive professional partnership as they grew older.
- cooperation
- partnership
2 economic consumption (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Economics

the quality of a product that means only one person can use it at a time.

the property of a good whereby one person's use diminishes other people's use of it.

Example

A loaf of bread has high rivalry because if I eat it, you cannot.

Example

Economists distinguish between public and private goods based on their levels of rivalry and excludability in a market setting.

Usage

Often used to distinguish 'rivalrous' goods from 'non-rivalrous' public goods like clean air.
- rivalrousness
- non rivalry

Origin

From rival + -ry.