Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Competition: meaning, definitions and examples

🏆
Add to dictionary

competition

 

[ˌkɒmpɪˈtɪʃən ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

sports

Competition is a situation in which two or more people or groups are trying to win something, such as a sports game or a business deal.

Synonyms

contest, match, rivalry.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
competition

Used to describe a general event where individuals or teams compete against each other to win something; this can be in academics, sports, business, and more.

  • The science fair is an annual competition for young inventors.
  • There is a lot of competition among tech companies to create the next big innovation.
contest

Often used for events where the focus is on winning a prize based on skill, knowledge or creativity; typically in more specific or artistic contexts.

  • She entered a baking contest and won first place.
  • The poetry contest had hundreds of entries from all over the country.
rivalry

Describes a long-term competitive relationship between two individuals or groups, often with emotional intensity or historical significance. Can have a negative connotation.

  • There has always been a fierce rivalry between these two football teams.
  • The sibling rivalry between them sometimes gets out of hand.
match

Primarily used in sports to refer to a game or set of games between two teams or individuals; can also be used in non-sporting games and competitions.

  • The soccer match was intense and ended in a tie.
  • They are preparing for a chess match this weekend.

Examples of usage

  • Healthy competition can lead to improved performance.
  • The competition for the championship title is fierce this year.
Context #2 | Noun

business

Competition refers to the rivalry between companies striving for the same customers or market share.

Synonyms

contest, opposition, rivalry.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
competition

Used when individuals or teams are vying against each other to achieve superiority or to win a prize.

  • The competition for the championship was intense
  • She entered a baking competition
rivalry

Suggests ongoing competition between two parties, often with a history of contention or contest, sometimes with a personal or emotional element.

  • The rivalry between the two schools has lasted for decades
  • Their sibling rivalry sometimes caused conflicts
contest

Often associated with a more structured or formal event where participants perform or demonstrate their skills to be judged.

  • The singing contest is scheduled for next Friday
  • He won the essay contest at his school
opposition

Often implies a confrontation or resistance between two opposing sides, which could be in politics, sports, or general disagreements, and often has a somewhat negative connotation.

  • The opposition party criticized the new policy
  • There was strong opposition to the proposed law

Examples of usage

  • Increasing competition in the industry has led to lower prices for consumers.
  • Our company needs to stay ahead of the competition to succeed.
Context #3 | Noun

academic

Competition in academia can refer to students competing for scholarships, awards, or academic recognition.

Synonyms

challenge, contest, rivalry.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
competition

Used when individuals or teams compete against each other to win something, commonly in sports, business, or academics.

  • The annual school competition attracted participants from all over the country.
  • The business competition in this market is fierce.
contest

Typically used for organized competitions, often with specific rules and judging criteria, and can be in various fields like cooking, art, or writing.

  • She won first place in the baking contest last year.
  • They are holding a contest to design the new company logo.
rivalry

Describes a situation where two entities (people, teams, companies) are in long-term competition, usually with a sense of ongoing animosity.

  • The rivalry between the two soccer teams has been intense for over a decade.
  • Their business rivalry often leads to heated exchanges and aggressive marketing.
challenge

Refers to a task or situation that tests someone's abilities, often implying difficulty and requiring effort.

  • Climbing Mount Everest is a significant challenge for any mountaineer.
  • The new project at work is quite a challenge, but I'm excited to tackle it.

Examples of usage

  • The competition for admission to top universities is intense.
  • Participating in academic competitions can enhance students' skills.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from Latin 'competitio', meaning 'a striving together'.
  • In medieval English, the term was used to describe challenges for honors or titles.
  • The root 'competere' means 'to strive together', indicating both cooperation and rivalry.

Psychology

  • Competition can boost motivation; many people work harder when they know others are trying to do the same.
  • Studies show that friendly competition can improve teamwork and relationships among peers.
  • However, excessive competition may lead to anxiety and stress, especially in educational settings.

Economics

  • In business, competition encourages innovation and better services, benefitting consumers.
  • Monopolies, where a single company dominates, can harm the economy by reducing choices for buyers.
  • There’s a balance; healthy competition is important, but too much can lead to unethical behavior.

Sports

  • The modern Olympic Games originated in ancient Greece as a festival dedicated to Zeus, highlighting athletic competition.
  • Competition in sports not only tests physical ability but also builds character and resilience in athletes.
  • Different sports have distinct cultures of competition, affecting training methods and athlete collaborations.

Pop Culture

  • Reality TV shows like 'Survivor' and 'The Amazing Race' focus on competition for prizes, making it entertaining.
  • Many video games emphasize competition, encouraging players to outscore each other or complete challenges faster.
  • Popular movie themes often revolve around competitions, portraying the journey of characters overcoming odds to win.

Translations

Translations of the word "competition" in other languages:

🇵🇹 competição

🇮🇳 प्रतियोगिता (pratiyogita)

🇩🇪 Wettbewerb

🇮🇩 kompetisi

🇺🇦 змагання

🇵🇱 konkurs

🇯🇵 競争 (きょうそう, kyousou)

🇫🇷 compétition

🇪🇸 competencia

🇹🇷 yarışma

🇰🇷 경쟁 (gyeongjaeng)

🇸🇦 منافسة (munafasa)

🇨🇿 soutěž

🇸🇰 súťaž

🇨🇳 竞争 (jìngzhēng)

🇸🇮 tekmovanje

🇮🇸 keppni

🇰🇿 жарыс

🇬🇪 შეჯიბრი (shejibri)

🇦🇿 müsabiqə

🇲🇽 competencia

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,534, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.