challenge

1 of 2

verb

chal·​lenge ˈcha-lənj 

challenged; challenging

transitive verb

1

: to dispute especially as being unjust, invalid, or outmoded : impugn

new data that challenges old assumptions

And had, say, someone challenged our lifestyle … any one of us would have … put up a spirited defence …

—Kazuo Ishiguro

2

a

: to confront or defy boldly : dare

He challenged his critics to prove his guilt.

I challenge anyone to ponder the great mysteries without feeling a sense of connectedness to something profound.

—Dan Hahn

b

: to call out to duel or combat

The gentleman challenged his rival to a duel.

c

: to invite into competition

She challenged her brother to a tennis match.

3

a

: to question the action or authority of

No one challenged the referee on the call.

b

: to question formally the legality or legal qualifications of

challenged the enforceability of the agreement

Attorneys can challenge an unlimited number of jurors for cause …

—Bryan Lowry

4

: to stimulate or engage especially by presenting with difficulties that test someone's ability

She wants a job that will challenge her.

5

: to order to halt and prove identity

The sentry challenged the stranger.

6

: to demand as due or deserved : require

an event that challenges explanation

7

: to administer a physiological (see physiological sense 2) and especially an immunologic challenge to (an organism or cell)

intransitive verb

1

: to make or present a challenge

When the appropriate moment challenged, he was capable of … leadership …

—C. H. Driver

2

: to take legal exception

challenger noun

challengeable

ˈcha-lən-jə-bəl 

adjective

challenge

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a difficult task or problem

Trying to find a venue that fit all of their criteria, however, proved to be a challenge.

—Alex Ross

b

: a task or activity whose difficulty provides enjoyable intellectual or physical stimulation

looking for new challenges

The intriguing—and daunting—challenge now is to understand the process …

—Stephen B. Baylin et al.

also : something that provides such stimulation

Easily spooked, the wary creature is the ultimate challenge to fly fishermen.

—Genevieve Stuttaford

2

a

: a calling to account or into question : protest

a challenge to unauthorized use of public funds

specifically, law : a questioning of validity or legality

a challenge to the court's jurisdiction over the dispute

b

: an exception taken to a juror before the juror is sworn

a challenge of a prospective juror based on a specific cause or reason

c

: a questioning of the right or validity of a vote or voter

d

: a sentry's command to halt and prove identity

The intruder fled at the sentry's challenge.

3

a

: an invitation to compete in a game, sport, fight, etc.

He accepted my challenge to a game of chess.

b

: an attempt to defeat someone in a contest or competition

The senator faced a challenge from within her own party.

c

: a summons (see summons entry 1 sense 3) that is often threatening, provocative, stimulating, or inciting

When people told her no, she heard a challenge.

specifically : a summons to a duel to answer an affront

4

: the act or process of provoking or testing physiological activity by exposure to a specific substance

especially : a test of immunity by exposure to an antigen

For an oral food challenge, you will eat small amounts of the suspected allergen and watch for a reaction in the safety of the doctor's office …

—Cara Rosenbloom

Synonyms of challenge

Verb

• question
• contest
• dispute

Noun

• objection
• exception
• question
• complaint

Examples of challenge in a Sentence

Verb

A number of doctors are challenging the study's claims.

The new lawsuit challenges the lower court's decision.

She's been challenged on her handling of the problem.

None of them were willing to challenge the referee on the call.

It's a game that will challenge a child's imagination.

The work doesn't challenge him anymore, and he's often bored.

Noun

The next major challenge for the company is to improve its distribution capabilities.

Teaching adolescents can be quite a challenge.

The band feels ready for new challenges.

If he takes on the new project he will face the greatest challenge of his career.

Management is seeking ways to better meet the challenge of future growth.

The ski slope offers a high degree of challenge.

Do you accept my challenge to a game of chess?

The senator may face a challenge from within her own party.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

An industry group challenged it in court and won, stopping the fees. — ABC News, 2 July 2026

Dumber than not being able to challenge obviously miscalled balls and strikes in a pre-ABS baseball world. — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Noun

Still, the biggest challenge for Iran’s leaders may be what comes after the funeral, analysts say. — Babak Dehghanpisheh, NBC news, 3 July 2026

But the challenge has remained over the decades for popes that the threat of schism, or a rupture within the church, might lurk behind a preference for a more solemn liturgy. — ABC News, 3 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English chalengen to accuse, from Anglo-French chalenger, from Latin calumniari to accuse falsely, from calumnia calumny

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Phrases Containing challenge

• challenge coin
• peremptory challenge
• rise to the challenge
• rise to the occasion/challenge

Kids Definition

challenge

1 of 2 verb

chal·​lenge ˈchal-ənj 

challenged; challenging

1

: to order to stop and prove identity

2

a

: to object to as bad or incorrect : dispute

b

: to demand proof that something is right or legal

3

: to invite or dare to take part in a contest

4

: to arouse or stimulate especially by presenting with difficulties

challenger noun

challenge

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a demand that someone take part in a duel

b

: an invitation or dare for someone to compete in a contest or sport

2

: an objection to something as not being true, genuine, correct, or proper or to a person (as a juror) as not being qualified or approved

3

: a sentry's command to halt and prove identity

4

: a stimulating task or problem

Medical Definition

challenge

1 of 2 transitive verb

chal·​lenge ˈchal-ənj 

challenged; challenging

: to administer a physiological and especially an immunologic challenge to (an organism or cell)

challenge

2 of 2 noun

: the process of provoking or testing physiological activity by exposure to a specific substance

especially : a test of immunity by exposure to an antigen after immunization against it

Legal Definition

challenge

1 of 2 transitive verb

chal·​lenge

challenged; challenging

1

: to dispute especially as being invalid or unjust

counsel challenged this interpretation

2

: to question formally (as by a suit or motion) the legality or legal qualifications of

challenge the regulations

especially : to make a challenge to (a trier of fact)

the grounds for challenging prospective jurors

—W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.

compare recuse

challenge

2 of 2 noun

1

: a calling into question

especially : a questioning of validity or legality : objection

when the challenge to the statute is in effect a challenge of this basic assumption

—Kramer v. Union Free School Dist. No. 15, 395 U.S. 621 (1969)

see also batson challenge

2

: a request to disqualify a trier of fact (as a jury member or judge) compare recusal, strike

— challenge for cause

: a challenge especially of a prospective juror based on a specific and stated cause or reason

— challenge to the array

: a challenge of an entire jury that raises objections to the selection process

— peremptory challenge

: a challenge especially of a prospective juror that does not require a stated cause or reason