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

2

a

: to confront or defy boldly : dare

he challenged his critics to prove his guilt

b

: to call out to duel or combat

challenged his rival to a duel

c

: to invite into competition

he challenged his brother to a tennis match

3

: to question formally the legality or legal qualifications of

challenge a juror

4

: to arouse or stimulate especially by presenting with difficulties

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 stimulating task or problem

looking for new challenges

2

a

: a calling to account or into question : protest

a challenge to unauthorized use of public funds

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 sport

He accepted my challenge to a game of chess.

b

: a summons (see summons entry 1 sense 2) that is often threatening, provocative, stimulating, or inciting

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

Synonyms

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

Career and workplace expert, Laura Gassner Otting, understands that the shift from classroom memorization to real-world, hands-on learning can be challenging for recent grads. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025

Since the storm, local officials have been hit with challenging questions about why the children in the camps and others living along the river were not warned to evacuate. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 7 July 2025

Noun

And, once enrolled, trying to get out of the lowest-cost premium Medicare Advantage plan may present a challenge, too. —Diane Omdahl, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

Boise applied to the challenge with the idea of taking the city’s existing geothermal heating system to provide a solution to high utility costs in affordable housing downtown. —Idaho Statesman, 8 July 2025

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

• 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