26984 words

contest

8 definitions • 10 examples
1
a competition to do better than other people, usually in which prizes are given:

Examples:

a dance/sports contest
beauty contest She's won a lot of beauty contests.
2
an attempt, usually against difficulties, to win an election or to get power or control:

Examples:

contest for The contest for the leadership of the party was very bitter.
The primary in Iowa is the first contest for the Republican nomination.
3
If you contest a formal statement, a claim, a judge's decision, or a legal case, you say formally that it is wrong or unfair and try to have it changed:

Examples:

We will certainly contest any claims made against the safety of our products.
4
to compete for something:

Examples:

The medal is being keenly contested by eight gymnasts.
5
to attempt to win an election or to get power or control:

Examples:

She could win, since only two people are contesting the seat and the other candidate is very unpopular.
6
a competition to do better than other people, esp. to win a prize or achieve a position of leadership or power:

Examples:

In the last election, he survived a close contest against a political newcomer.
7
to oppose esp. in argument:

Examples:

The campaign’s organizers hotly contest much of the criticism that has been leveled at them.
8
To contest is also to claim that a particular action is not fair or is not legal:

Examples:

The lawyers may decide to contest the fine.

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