challenge

CHAL-inj/ˈt͡ʃæl.ɪnd͡ʒ/

Pluralchallenges

Verbchallenges, challenging, challenged

24 meanings of challenge

Practice

1
a hard tasknouncountable
Something hard to do that tests how good or strong you are.
Climbing the mountain was a real challenge.
She likes the challenge of a hard puzzle.
UsageYou face a challenge, and you rise to the challenge when you meet it well.
Similartest, task, trial, undertaking
2
verbtransitive
To be hard for someone.
The last question challenged even the best students.
Long words still challenge her.
Similartest, tax, stretch
3
question (a claim)verbtransitive
To question whether something is true, right, fair, or legal instead of simply accepting it.
The new facts challenge the old idea.
Nobody challenged the coach's decision.
Similardispute, contest
4
ask to competeverbtransitive
To ask someone to compete against you.
We challenged the kids next door to a game of basketball.
I challenge you to a race to the gate.
Usagechallenge someone to a game or race: I challenge you to a race.
Similarinvite
Note
5
nouncountable
Something said or done to ask if a thing is really true, fair, or allowed by law.
The new rule faced a challenge from parents who said it was unfair.
The coach made a challenge after the referee's call, and the call was changed.
UsageSay a challenge to something: a challenge to the new rule.
Similarobjection
Note
6
nouncountable
An attempt to defeat someone or something, or to win a position or title.
The new team made a real challenge for first place this year.
He tried to take over as leader, but his challenge failed.
UsageSay a challenge for first place, or a challenge from a rival.
Similarbid, attempt
7
verbtransitive
To dare someone to do something.
She challenged him to jump into the cold lake.
I challenge anyone to eat the whole pie.
Usagechallenge someone to do something: I challenge you to try it.
Similardare, defy
Note
8
nouncountable
When you ask someone to play, race, or fight against you to see who is better.
My brother never says no to a challenge at chess.
The new kid at school sent out challenges to anyone who wanted a race.
UsagePeople accept or turn down a challenge to a game or race.
9
nouncountable
A dare, or pressure to make someone do something they would not do on their own.
I climbed the tall tree because of my cousin's challenge.
My friends gave me a challenge: jump into the cold lake in winter.
Similardare
10
tacklenouncountable
In sports, an attempt to win possession of the ball.
The defender's challenge sent the striker flying.
He got past three challenges and scored.
Similartackle
Note

Less common meanings

11
book removalnouncountable
An attempt to remove a book from a library or school reading list, or to limit who can read it.
The library received a challenge to a novel about a gay teenager.
Anyone can file a challenge against a book in the school library.
12
password checknouncountable
A guard's demand to stop and give a password, or a computer's request for proof of identity.
The guard's challenge rang out in the dark.
The website sends a challenge before it lets you log in.
Note
13
halt (guard)verbtransitive
Of a guard, to stop someone and demand the password.
The guard will challenge you and ask for the password.
Sentries challenge anyone who comes near the gate at night.
Note
14
duelnouncountable
In the past, a demand to fight a duel, or the letter carrying that demand.
The count sent a challenge to the man who had insulted him.
He sent a challenge to fight a duel at sunrise.
15
rejecting a jurornouncountablelaw
In a court case, a lawyer's formal request that a certain person should not be on the jury.
The lawyer made a challenge to keep the man off the jury.
The judge agreed with the lawyer's challenge, so the woman was not allowed to sit on the jury.
Similarobjection
16
verbtransitive
In law, to object to a person being on a jury.
The lawyer challenged two jurors who knew the defendant.
Each side may challenge a certain number of jurors.
Similarstrike
Note
17
verbUStransitive
In the US, to say that a person should not be allowed to vote.
A party worker challenged her vote, saying she lived out of state.
Observers may challenge voters only on set grounds.
Note
18
nounUScountable
In the US, a claim that a person is not allowed to vote, made when they try to cast their ballot.
The clerk recorded a challenge against the voter.
A poll watcher made a challenge, saying the man did not live in the district.
Similarobjection
Note
19
exam for creditverbCanadaUStransitive
In the US and Canada, to take an exam for course credit without taking the course.
She challenged the French exam and skipped the first year.
You can challenge an exam for half the course fee.
Note
20
remove a judgenouncountable
In law, an attempt to remove a judge or similar official who may be unfair or unable to act.
The defense made a challenge against the judge, saying he knew the victim.
The court rejected the challenge, and the same judge stayed on the case.
Note
21
nounrarecountable
In law, a reason a judge must not hear a case, such as having a stake in it.
Consanguinity in direct line is a challenge for a judge when he or she is sitting cases.
Here, challenge means a reason a judge must not hear the case, like being related.
Note
22
verbobsoletetransitive
In old use, to blame or find fault with someone.
I may be more challenged for my inconsiderate Boldness
1601, Pliny the Elder, The Historie of the WorldHere, challenged means blamed or criticized.
Note
23
verbobsoletetransitive
In old use, to demand something as your right.
Challenge better terms.
1712, [Joseph] Addison, CatoHere, challenge means to demand better terms as your right.
Note
24
noun
In hunting, the loud cries of dogs when they first smell the animal they are chasing.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of challenge apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It came through Old French into Middle English, and goes back to the Latin word "calumnia," meaning a false accusation.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Challenge came through Old French into Middle English. en.wiktionary.org
Challenge ultimately derives from Latin calumnia. en.wiktionary.org
Latin calumnia means a false accusation. en.wiktionary.org