contest

1 of 2

verb

con·​test kən-ˈtest  ˈkän-ˌtest 

contested; contesting; contests

intransitive verb

: strive, vie

contested for power

transitive verb

: to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation

especially : dispute, challenge

The deceased's relatives are contesting his will.

contestable

kən-ˈte-stə-bəl 

adjective

contester noun

contest

2 of 2

noun

con·​test ˈkän-ˌtest 

1

: a struggle for superiority or victory : competition

a football contest between rival teams

2

: a competition in which each contestant performs without direct contact with or interference from competitors

He won the contest for best photograph.

Synonyms

Verb

• challenge
• question

Noun

• competition
• rivalry
• battle
• duel
• struggle
• contention
• warfare
• confrontation
• war
• conflict
• match

Examples of contest in a Sentence

Verb

She plans to contest a seat in Congress next year.

Both candidates have agreed to another debate before this hotly contested election.

Noun

Contest winners receive a cash prize.

Will you enter the contest?

She hopes to win the contest for mayor.

Democrats and Republicans are engaged in a contest for control of the House of Representatives.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Rodriguez followed that setback with a TKO loss to Ian Machado Garry and a decision defeat to Kelvin Gastelum in a fight that was contested at middleweight after Gastelum had weight cutting issues. —Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025

Despite being contested, Barnes leaped over a pursuing corner, and hauled in a miraculous reception to ice things. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 19 July 2025

Noun

Du Plessis won that contest via unanimous decision. —Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025

The State Fair heeded the call this summer, Reis said, giving livestock contest participants more time to set up in the cavernous barn, more passes for guests to access the fairgrounds, and bedding for the animals. —Ethan Wolin july 20, Sacbee.com, 20 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French contester "to debate, make the subject of dispute," earlier "to refuse to recognize a right or claim," probably borrowed from Old Occitan contestar, borrowed from Latin contestārī "to call to witness," in the phrase lītem contestārī (with līt-, līs "dispute at law") "to join issue in a legal suit," from con- con- + -testārī, verbal derivative of testis "witness" — more at testament

Noun

derivative of contest entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1603, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing contest

• beauty contest
• no contest
• popularity contest

Kids Definition

contest

1 of 2 verb

con·​test kən-ˈtest  ˈkän-ˌtest 

: to make (something) a cause of dispute or fighting

contest a claim

contest

2 of 2 noun

con·​test ˈkän-ˌtest 

: a struggle for victory : competition

Legal Definition

contest

1 of 2 transitive verb

con·​test kən-ˈtest 

: to dispute or challenge through legal procedures

contest a will

contest

2 of 2 noun

con·​test ˈkän-ˌtest 

: a challenge brought through formal or legal procedures

boundary controversies or other contests between states

—Felix Frankfurter

specifically : will contest see also no contest clause