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

See Examples For:

beauty contest

The Seleção played free-flowing, artistic soccer, turning the game into a beauty contest as much as a cutthroat competition en route to lifting the trophy a record five times.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026

The wildlife beauty contest gives the colourful kingfisher and common frog an equal chance of a place on the next series of Bank of England notes.

From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2026

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

Born to a working class family in a poor mountainous area east of Rome, she studied sculpture then got her break in the film world after finishing third in the 1947 Miss Italia beauty contest.

From Reuters ● Jan. 16, 2023

In what book, chapter, and verse can we read about a winner of a beauty contest becoming a queen?

From "Wish" by Barbara O'Connor