Competition: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.