contest

Pluralcontests

Formscontests, contesting, contested

1. 1
   prize eventnouncountable

   An organized competition in which people or teams try to win a prize or title.

   The photography contest drew hundreds of entries from across the region.

   Three teams reached the final round of the debate contest.

   UsageYou enter a contest, then win or lose it; it is a contest for a prize or title.

   Similarcompetition

2. 2
   compete forverbtransitive

   To compete or fight for something, such as a prize, a title, territory, or a seat in an election.

   Several candidates will contest the party leadership this year.

   The two clubs contested the title fiercely throughout the season.

   UsageToday it usually takes its object directly: candidates contest a seat or the title. Older writing also has contest for or with.

   Note

   Elijah Fenton's version of Book IV of The Odyssey of Homer (1725) asks who dares "with Jove contest", and Thomas Burnet's Sacred Theory of the Earth finds pleasure in contesting with a hard argument.

3. 3
   object toverbtransitive

   To argue against something or challenge it formally, such as a decision, a result, or a claim in court.

   Several residents plan to contest the new zoning rules.

   She contested the will, claiming her father had been pressured into signing it.

   UsageThe past participle often works as an adjective: a contested election, a hotly contested claim.

   Note

   Its object is a claim, a result or an idea rather than a rival: you contest an election outcome, a ruling or a received truth. John Daniel Morell's history of modern European philosophy counted an aphorism among the most repeated and the most contested. The same verb covers a challenge pursued in court, as when someone contests a will.

4. 4
   fight to winnouncountable

   A struggle between opposing sides for superiority or victory; combat.

   The election became a bitter contest for control of the council.

   Victory came only after a long contest between the rival forces.

   Similarfight, battle, combat

5. 5
   noununcountable

   Controversy or debate over a disputed matter.

   That she was the finest painter of her generation is beyond contest, even among her rivals.

   Her authority was accepted without contest.

   UsageMostly in set phrases with no article: beyond contest, without contest.

   Similardebate, controversy, discussion

   Oppositeconsensus, agreement

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