photo finish

noun

1

: a race or finish in which contestants are so close that a photograph of them as they cross the finish line has to be examined to determine the winner

2

: a close contest

Examples of photo finish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Beyond the dazzling jumps, daring descents and photo finishes lie lives shaped by sacrifice and sheer determination. —Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026

Showcase fresh summer stone fruit with a slab pie for a crowd that makes a photo finish with a lattice crust. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026

The company offers its virtual photo finish, by contrast, as a visualization tool for spectators and commentators. —Maurizio Arseni, IEEE Spectrum, 4 Feb. 2026

Kenyan runners dominated the 54th annual event Sunday, with Benson Kipruto pulling off an unbelievable photo finish to win the men’s championship and Hellen Obiri taking home the women’s win and setting a course record in the process. —Riley Jones, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for photo finish

• diminish
• finnish
• minish

Kids Definition

photo finish

noun

1

: a finish of a race in which contestants are so close that a photograph of them crossing the finish line has to be examined to decide the winner

2

: a close contest (as in an election)