# compete

Pronunciation: US say "kuhm-PEET" /kəmˈpit/; UK

## Verb

1. To contend with another in a rivalry for the same thing, position, or reward.
   - Simple: To struggle against someone else to win the same thing, place, or reward.
   - _Rival networks compete for viewers during the evening news slot._
   - _The two senators competed bitterly for their party's nomination._
2. To take part in a contest, game, or comparable organized event.
   - Simple: To take part in a game, race, or contest.
   - _Swimmers must qualify before they can compete at the national level._
   - _Hundreds of bakers competed in the regional pie contest._
3. To strive for something that another also seeks, whether or not either side is aware of the rivalry.
   - Simple: To try hard to get something that others also want, even if you do not know about them.
   - _Native plants and invasive weeds compete for water and sunlight._
   - _Two job applicants unknowingly competed for the same opening._
4. To be in a position that makes winning or succeeding genuinely possible.
   - Simple: To have a real chance of winning or doing well against others.
   - _With its new engine, the budget model can finally compete on speed._
   - _A well-funded challenger competes on equal footing with the incumbent._

## Origin

Borrowed from Middle French 'competer', from Latin 'competere' ("to coincide, to be equal to, to be capable of"), which combines 'com-' ("with") and 'petō' ("I seek, I strive for").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/compete (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).