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
• dispute
• impeach
• oppugn
• query
• question

Noun

• ball game
• battle
• combat
• competition
• conflict
• confrontation
• contention
• dogfight
• duel
• face-off
• grapple
• match
• rivalry
• strife
• struggle
• sweepstakes
• sweep-stake
• tug-of-war
• war
• warfare

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

When the teams met at Pechanga on April 5, fans were treated to a sizzling match that was tightly contested until San Diego scored the game’s final five goals. —Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2024

Prosecutors did not contest their release from jail, court records show. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024

When done carefully and respectfully, the pelvic exam remains a valuable, if contested, aspect of reproductive healthcare. —TIME, 24 Apr. 2024

If the 2024 White House election is contested or tied, each state’s congressional delegation will have a single vote in deciding the winner. —Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024

And on Sunday, China’s best swimmers contested the third day of the country’s Olympic trials. —Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024

Companies can also contest citations through the state Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, an independent board appointed by the governor to hear such appeals. —Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2024

The 13th House District, which covers parts of Detroit and Warren, will be contested between Democrat Mai Xiong and Republican Ronald Singer. —Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 16 Apr. 2024

The game was contested Saturday at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2024

Noun

This contest aims to turn the spotlight on those who also excel off the playing field, whether that be in the classroom, on the stage, in their community, or all of the above. —Joe Mutascio, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Apr. 2024

The 2024 Republican nominating contest saw Trump, the GOP's standard-bearer, and DeSantis, a rising conservative star, go after one another directly. —Rachel Scott, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2024

Incumbent President Donald Trump trailed in polls, and ultimately, the three close contests were won by challenger Joe Biden. —Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2024

Best baguette Awarded by a panel of judges who blind taste test a pile of baguettes from the city’s best bakeries, the contest inspires fierce competition, innovation, and experimentation. —Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 27 Apr. 2024

Foster started all 13 contests for the Tigers this season on an offensive line unit that allowed 1.67 sacks per game. —Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2024

The true value is in the contest and the preparation, not the outcome. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has already reached out to high schools in the area with details about participating in the Student of the Week contest. —Journal Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2024

Enjoy giveaways, local art, vendors, rolling contest, live glass blowing and more. —Allison Kiehl, The Enquirer, 17 Apr. 2024

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