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competition

noun
com·​pe·​ti·​tion | \ ËŒkäm-pÉ™-ˈti-shÉ™n How to pronounce competition (audio) \

Definition of competition

1 : the act or process of competing : rivalry: such as
a : the effort of two or more parties acting independently to secure the business of a third party by offering the most favorable terms contractors in competition for the contract to build the new school
b : active demand by two or more organisms or kinds of organisms for some environmental resource in short supply the interspecies competition for food
2 : a contest between rivals a gymnastics competition also : one's competitors faced tough competition
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about competition

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Examples of competition in a Sentence

Prices are lower when there is competition among the stores. Don't let the competition know our trade secrets. They had a competition to see who could sell the most lemonade.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The race is the end-of-summer competition for Small Sloops, a type of sailboat built mostly by a single Center Moriches boatmaker from 1908 to 1932. — D. T. Max, The New Yorker, "In Search of Lost Sailboats," 10 Sep. 2019 The Copa America is a competition of huge importance to the nations of South America, who wear their respective countries colours with pride in the biggest football tournament on the continent. — SI.com, "National Anthem Antics: 6 Times Stadiums Got it Totally Wrong in International Fixtures," 8 Sep. 2019 There's also the competition now for followers and likes and shares and attention. — John Norris, Billboard, "Why Lower Dens' Jana Hunter Is Both 'Terrified' and 'More Comfortable' Since Transitioning," 5 Sep. 2019 Among the festivities will be a stein-holding competition at 5 and 8 p.m. — Marc Bona, cleveland.com, "Beer calendar: Great Lakes Brewing Co. anniversary party, Sips & Swigs, more," 2 Sep. 2019 Left guard is currently a competition between veterans Jonathan Cooper and Jordan Devey, Gruden said. — Jerry Mcdonald, The Mercury News, "Raiders’ Gruden wishes East Bay product Doss well after go-route from Oakland," 2 Sep. 2019 There is no competition between a vehicle and a child. — Catalina Righter, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Carroll school system inspects hundreds of buses, asks drivers to heed safety advice," 2 Sep. 2019 If there's a legitimate quarterback competition, then playing McCaffrey — by himself — makes sense. — Orion Sang, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan football's new offense shines, despite sloppiness, in 40-21 win over MTSU," 31 Aug. 2019 Fares were comparatively high and there was no low-cost competition in Milwaukee, which allowed for healthy profit margins. — Joe Taschler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The new Midwest Express will not be the old, beloved Midwest Express. Industry economics won't allow it.," 30 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'competition.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of competition

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for competition

Late Latin competition-, competitio, from Latin competere — see compete

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More Definitions for competition

competition

noun
How to pronounce competition (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of competition

: the act or process of trying to get or win something (such as a prize or a higher level of success) that someone else is also trying to get or win : the act or process of competing
: actions that are done by people, companies, etc., that are competing against each other
: a person or group that you are trying to succeed against : a person or group that you are competing with

See the full definition for competition in the English Language Learners Dictionary

competition

noun
com·​pe·​ti·​tion | \ ËŒkäm-pÉ™-ˈti-shÉ™n How to pronounce competition (audio) \

Kids Definition of competition

1 : the act or process of trying to get or win something others are also trying to get or win
2 : a contest in which all who take part strive for the same thing
3 : all of a person's competitors He beat the competition.

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More from Merriam-Webster on competition

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with competition

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for competition

Spanish Central: Translation of competition

Nglish: Translation of competition for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of competition for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about competition

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