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

The head of global theme park giant Merlin Entertainments says its "biggest competition" is people choosing to stay at home on their phones and other devices.

Read more on BBC

Barnes, like Gordon, has embraced this stage with the pair scoring seven goals combined in just three games in the competition.

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Norway superstar Haaland kept up his remarkable record in front of goal this season and he has now found the net 15 times in 11 appearances for City in all competitions.

Read more on Barron's

For people who still consume alcohol, there are plenty of options besides beer — and thus plenty of competition.

Read more on MarketWatch

In other renditions, apple bobbing became a competition for marriage.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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