beauty contest

American  

noun

1. a competition in which the entrants, usually women, are judged as to physical beauty and sometimes personality and talent, with the winners awarded prizes or titles.

2. Informal. any contest, election, etc., that is decided on the basis of popularity.

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beauty contest British  

noun

1. a competition in which the participants, usually women, are judged on their attractiveness, with a prize, and often a title, awarded to the winner

2. informal any contest decided on the basis of superficial attractiveness, popularity, etc

   the referendum might turn into a party political beauty contest

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Etymology

Origin of beauty contest

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Westminster has long faced protests from animal rights activists who view the competition as a deplorable canine beauty contest fueling faddish puppy buying and reckless breeding.

From Seattle Times • May 10, 2024

A beauty contest to select Miss Grand Central Air Terminal 1947 in Glendale wound up with only 10 contestants.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 1, 2023

The annual beauty contest run by the Miss Universe Organisation, which was co-owned by Donald Trump between 1996 and 2002, is broadcast in 165 countries and has been running for 71 years.

From Reuters • Oct. 26, 2022

“I think the idea that we spend three months or whatever it might be, finding a new leader and all that, going through all of that beauty contest, is absurd.”

From Washington Post • Jun. 6, 2022

He had a nice smile, a pretty wife who had been runner-up in a state beauty contest fourteen years ago, and two good-looking kids.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols