photo finish

noun

1
: a race or finish in which contestants are so close that a photograph of them as they cross the finish line has to be examined to determine the winner
2
: a close contest

Examples of photo finish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Lamar-Drake exchange wraps a photo finish between the two rivals, whose feud ignited into one of the defining pop-culture storylines of 2024. Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 27 May 2025 Long before Ross Chastain became the first driver in 54 years to win a Cup Series race from the tail of the field at the Coca-Cola 600, Shane Van Gisbergen captured the inaugural Chicago Street Race in his debut, and Daniel Suárez got the best of the infamous three-wide photo finish at Atlanta. Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 26 May 2025 Mystik Dan, a bay colt who last year’s race in a gut-churning and heart-pounding photo finish. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 3 May 2025 Jeb Burton finished second at Talladega this Saturday as the NASCAR Xfinity Series driver fell short in a photo finish against Jesse Love and confirmed winner Austin Hill. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for photo finish

Word History

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of photo finish was in 1935

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Photo finish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/photo%20finish. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

photo finish

noun
1
: a finish of a race in which contestants are so close that a photograph of them crossing the finish line has to be examined to decide the winner
2
: a close contest (as in an election)

More from Merriam-Webster on photo finish

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