competition

[kom-pi-tish-uhn]

noun

1. the act of competing; rivalry for supremacy, a prize, etc..

   The competition between the two teams was bitter.

   Synonyms: emulation

2. a contest for some prize, honor, or advantage.

   Both girls entered the competition.

   Synonyms: struggle

3. the rivalry offered by a competitor.

   The small merchant gets powerful competition from the chain stores.

4. a competitor or competitors.

   What is your competition offering?

5. Sociology.,  rivalry between two or more persons or groups for an object desired in common, usually resulting in a victor and a loser but not necessarily involving the destruction of the latter.

6. Ecology.,  the struggle among organisms, both of the same and of different species, for food, space, and other vital requirements.

competition

/ ˌkɒmpɪˈtɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of competing; rivalry

2. a contest in which a winner is selected from among two or more entrants

3. a series of games, sports events, etc

4. the opposition offered by a competitor or competitors

5. a competitor or competitors offering opposition

6. ecology the struggle between individuals of the same or different species for food, space, light, etc, when these are inadequate to supply the needs of all

competition

1. The simultaneous demand by two or more organisms for limited environmental resources, such as nutrients, living space, or light.

Other Word Forms

• noncompetition adjective
• procompetition adjective
• supercompetition noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of competition¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Late Latin competītiōn-, stem of competītiō “agreement, rivalry,” from competīt(us) “agreed, met” (past participle of competere “to agree, come together, meet”; compete ( def. ) ) + -iō -ion; sense influenced by competitor

Example Sentences

If Beau is in a competition with the rest of the women, normally we are playing for second place.

Read more on BBC

"This decision undermines the very foundations of sport and fair competition, and it delivers a severe blow to the morale of the gymnasts and staff who have worked tirelessly for this moment."

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China's commerce ministry called the US measures "typical unilateralist and protectionist actions" that constituted "unfair competition", in another statement on Tuesday.

Read more on Barron's

The most recent voltage variations were disclosed in a report published by Spain’s competition watchdog CNMC, in which Red Electrica proposed a set of adjustments to four electricity system management protocols.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Those two are still competing for its attention, though, which could fuel price competition and further margin pressure for Broadcom.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• championship 
• clash 
• event 
• fight 
• game 
• match 
• meeting 
• race 
• rivalry 
• sport 
• struggle 
• tournament 
• trial