contest

Syllabification: (con·test)

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Definition of contest

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈkänˌtest/

an event in which people compete for supremacy in a sport, activity, or particular quality:a gigantic air rifle shooting contest a beauty contest
a competition for a political position:the presidential contest
a dispute or conflict:a contest between traditional and liberal views

verb

Pronunciation: /kənˈtest, ˈkänˌtest/

[with object]

1engage in competition to attain (a position of power):she declared her intention to contest the presidency
take part in (a competition or election):a coalition was formed to contest the presidential elections

2oppose (an action, decision, or theory) as mistaken or wrong:the former chairman contests his dismissal
engage in dispute about:the issues have been hotly contested

Phrases

no contest

Derivatives

contestable
contester

Origin:

late 16th century (as a verb in the sense 'swear to, attest'): from Latin contestari 'call upon to witness, initiate an action (by calling witnesses)', from con- 'together' + testare 'to witness'. The senses 'wrangle, strive, struggle for' arose in the early 17th century, whence the current noun and verb senses

contest in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of contest in the British & World English dictionary

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Other

contest

noun

verb

Phrases

no contest

Derivatives

contestable

contester

Origin:

contest in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

More results for contest

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