beauty contest

noun

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

Examples of beauty contest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And by the way, the anchors are there to articulate the news, not for a beauty contest. —Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 June 2025

The event, known in the political trade as a beauty contest, also was overshadowed by former Vice President Kamala Harris’ absence and coyness about running for governor. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 7 June 2025

The Venetian Pool hosted beauty contests, dance performances and aquatic shows. —Jimena Romero, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025

Marquez was crowned Miss Rostro, a local beauty contest, in 2021, and had about 200,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok. —Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 15 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1a