photo finish

American  

noun

Sports.

1. a finish of a race in which two or more contestants are so close to the finish line that reference to a photograph of the finish is necessary to determine the winner.

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photo finish British  

noun

1. a finish of a race in which contestants are so close that a photograph is needed to decide the result

2. any race or competition in which the winners or placed contestants are separated by a very small margin

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Other Word Forms

• photo-finish adjective

Etymology

Origin of photo finish

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Analysts say the outcome could be a photo finish.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a photo finish for the NL’s final wild card berth, all the Reds needed was a win against the Milwaukee Brewers, or a Mets loss.

From Los Angeles Times

Great Britain's Jeremiah Azu sprinted to 60m gold in a dramatic photo finish at the World Athletics Indoor Championships to secure the first global title of his career.

From BBC

Knight's Choice has won Australia's famous Melbourne Cup, in a dramatically close race which went to a photo finish.

From BBC

Since then, Harris’s campaign has had ups and downs, and is now locked in what is shaping up to be a photo finish next week.

From BBC