Definition of beauty contest
1 a
: an assemblage of girls or women at which judges select the most beautiful — called also
beauty pageant
b
: a contest or competitive situation that is likened to a traditional beauty contest especially in involving judgments made on the basis of physical attractiveness or popular appeal
- … an elite automotive expo and beauty contest where cars of only the highest caliber …
- —Hannah Elliott
2
US politics
: a presidential primary election in which the popular vote does not determine the number of convention delegates a candidate receives
- Mr. Ford and Mr. Reagan are listed in the Republican preferential primary or "beauty contest."
- —Charles Mohr
