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

Or perhaps entering an international beauty contest with the ultimate aim of launching your modelling career on the world stage.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2024

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

Tonight, as in a beauty contest, the boys of Permian would come before the crowd one by one so they could be checked out and introduced.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger