competition

noun

com·​pe·​ti·​tion ˌkäm-pə-ˈti-shən 

1

: the act or process of competing : rivalry: such as

a

: the effort of two or more parties acting independently to secure the business of a third party by offering the most favorable terms

contractors in competition for the contract to build the new school

b

: active demand by two or more organisms or kinds of organisms for some environmental resource in short supply

the interspecies competition for food

2

: a contest between rivals

a gymnastics competition

also : one's competitors

faced tough competition

Synonyms of competition

• tournament
• event
• game
• contest
• match

Examples of competition in a Sentence

Prices are lower when there is competition among the stores.

Don't let the competition know our trade secrets.

They had a competition to see who could sell the most lemonade.

Recent Examples on the Web

Then Sandy hit, and the Obama Administration launched Rebuild by Design, a competition that offered roughly a billion dollars in federal money, with more expected from state and local governments, for the winning proposals. —Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026

After splitting his college career between Cal and TCU, Elarms-Orr could enter the offseason program as competition for Trevin Wallace in the starting lineup, or at the very least, push Claudin Cherelus for the third linebacker spot. —Mike Kaye april 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026

The bill would have protected girls’ right to safe, fair competition, while allowing for a coeducational category as an appropriate avenue for transgender participation. —Lisa Frizell, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026

Though Son did not score, his 11 assists on the club’s 24 goals in all competitions stand out through 10 games. —Josh Gross, Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin competition-, competitio, from Latin competere — see compete

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing competition

• in competition with
• the competition

Rhymes for competition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition
• deposition

Kids Definition

competition

noun

com·​pe·​ti·​tion ˌkäm-pə-ˈtish-ən 

1

: the act or process of competing

2

a

: a contest between rivals

b

: rivalry

c

: an individual or group one is competing against

look over the competition

3

: the effort of persons or firms to attract business by offering the most favorable terms

4

: the active seeking after and use of an environmental resource (as food) in limited supply by two or more plants or animals or kinds of plants and animals