contest

1 of 2

verb

contested; contesting; contests

intransitive verb

: strive, vie
contested for power

transitive verb

: to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation
especially : dispute, challenge
The deceased's relatives are contesting his will.
contestable adjective
contester noun

contest

2 of 2

noun

con·​test ˈkän-ˌtest How to pronounce contest (audio)
1
: a struggle for superiority or victory : competition
a football contest between rival teams
2
: a competition in which each contestant performs without direct contact with or interference from competitors
He won the contest for best photograph.

Examples of contest in a Sentence

Verb She plans to contest a seat in Congress next year. Both candidates have agreed to another debate before this hotly contested election. Noun Contest winners receive a cash prize. Will you enter the contest? She hopes to win the contest for mayor. Democrats and Republicans are engaged in a contest for control of the House of Representatives.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Self was referring to a breakaway slam dunk by Adams — one contested by trailing Samford forward Achor Achor — giving KU a 90-86 lead with 0:30 left. Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2024 Yet among researchers, the actual origins of the holiday – and of Esther herself – are still hotly contested. Esther Brownsmith, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2024 Federal agencies’ use of administrative law judges have been contested in other cases. CNN, 20 Mar. 2024 Where data science fits in and what advanced math courses need to include to meet admission requirements is hotly contested. Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 Israel’s claims about the military significance of the operation at al-Shifa were swiftly contested by Palestinian officials, who identified the target of the raid as a police official. Hajar Harb, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024 Smith is among many environmental activists who have long contested Enviva's claims that its production process — and burning wood for energy — is carbon neutral and helps revitalize rural areas. James Pollard, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 Under a stipulated agreement, the students and their parents do not contest the punishment and no hearing was held. Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Land and maritime border disputes Much of the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel takes place along a border that has been contested since the creation of Israel. Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2024
Noun
Perhaps this longtime bellwether state that had seen so many close contests had simply lost its electoral heart to Trump. Ron Elving, NPR, 23 Mar. 2024 Bacot, the indelible fifth-year senior, notched his sixth consecutive 15-rebound contest in an NCAA Tournament game. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2024 Bill Carrick, the chief media strategist for Feinstein’s campaign, recalls her narrowly leading the contest until the outbreak of the First Gulf War. Mark Barabak, The Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2024 In a state where party bosses can tamp down most viable primary challenges, particularly for popular incumbents, he is locked in a spirited contest for the Democratic nomination with the mayor of Hoboken, Ravi Bhalla. Tracey Tully, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 While majorities in preliminary exit poll data express loyalty toward Trump, the extent of intraparty challenges may matter in what’s expected to be a close contest in November. Gary Langer, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024 The contest was judged by music industry icons: Yandel, Nicki Nicole, Rauw Alejandro, Lex Borrero and Tainy. Paula Soria, The Arizona Republic, 24 Mar. 2024 Modern politics around the world has been characterized as a contest between the Left and the Right. CBS News, 23 Mar. 2024 The Michigan transfer spent the final few minutes of his first and perhaps final season at KU seated on the bench cheering on the walk-ons who finished the contest — KU’s second-worst defeat in a tourney game in school history. Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French contester "to debate, make the subject of dispute," earlier "to refuse to recognize a right or claim," probably borrowed from Old Occitan contestar, borrowed from Latin contestārī "to call to witness," in the phrase lītem contestārī (with līt-, līs "dispute at law") "to join issue in a legal suit," from con- con- + -testārī, verbal derivative of testis "witness" — more at testament

Noun

derivative of contest entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1603, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of contest was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near contest

Cite this Entry

“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contest. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

contest

1 of 2 verb
: to make (something) a cause of dispute or fighting
contest a claim

contest

2 of 2 noun
con·​test ˈkän-ˌtest How to pronounce contest (audio)
: a struggle for victory : competition

Legal Definition

contest

1 of 2 transitive verb
con·​test kən-ˈtest How to pronounce contest (audio)
: to dispute or challenge through legal procedures
contest a will

contest

2 of 2 noun
con·​test ˈkän-ˌtest How to pronounce contest (audio)
: a challenge brought through formal or legal procedures
boundary controversies or other contests between statesFelix Frankfurter
specifically : will contest see also no contest clause

More from Merriam-Webster on contest

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