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 of contest

Verb

• challenge
• question
• dispute

Noun

• competition
• rivalry
• battle
• struggle
• duel
• contention
• warfare
• confrontation
• war
• conflict

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

The administration is facing more than 600 lawsuits contesting its agenda. —Bill Whitaker, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026

There, too, surveys indicated a strong Democratic swing in Latino precincts, compared with the vote in 2022, the previous time the seat was contested. —Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026

Noun

The Clippers controlled the contest from start to finish while New Orleans played without All-Star Zion Williamson because of an ankle injury. —Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026

The contests could offer a snapshot of where Democrats and Republicans stand with their core voters as candidates look for signs of momentum heading into the general election. —Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026

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