competition
kom-puh-TIHSH-uhn
Competition (noun) means a contest in which people or organizations try to win a prize or come out on top. Example: “Our school choir took part in a regional singing competition.”
noun
1
A contest in which people or organizations try to win a prize or come out on top.
"Our school choir took part in a regional singing competition."
"She entered the baking competition and won first prize."
"Competition among airlines has driven ticket prices down."
How to use competition
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA contest to win something, or the general rivalry between people or businesses trying to succeed.
Common pairings
fierce competition
enter a competition
win a competition
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Word forms
- Plural
- competitions
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Our school choir took part in a regional singing _____.
Etymology
From Late Latin competitio, from competere, "to strive together."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for competition
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for competition →
Frequently asked questions
What does “competition” mean?
The word “competition” means a contest in which people or organizations try to win a prize or come out on top. In plain terms, a contest to win something, or the general rivalry between people or businesses trying to succeed.
How do you pronounce “competition”?
“Competition” is pronounced kom-puh-TIHSH-uhn (/ˌkɑm.pəˈtɪʃ.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “competition” in a sentence?
Here is “competition” used in a sentence: “She entered the baking competition and won first prize.”
What is the opposite of “competition”?
The opposite of “competition” — its antonyms — is cooperation.
What part of speech is “competition”?
“Competition” is a noun.
Where does the word “competition” come from?
The word “competition” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin competitio, from competere, "to strive together.".
Is “competition” a common word?
“Competition” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between competition and competitiveness?
Competition is the contest itself — the situation where people or firms strive to win or outdo one another. Competitiveness is a quality: the drive to compete, or how well placed someone is to succeed in that contest. You take part in a competition; you show competitiveness in the way you approach it.
What are the types of competition?
Competition takes many forms: sporting contests, business rivalry for customers, academic prizes, talent shows, and elections, among others. Economists also grade markets from perfect competition, with many equal sellers, through to monopoly, where one dominates. What they share is two or more parties striving for an advantage others cannot all have.
Is competition good or bad?
It can be both. Healthy competition drives effort, innovation, and lower prices, pushing people and companies to improve. Taken too far, it can encourage stress, cutting corners, or unfair tactics. Most people see it as positive when the rules are fair and everyone has a genuine chance to win.
What is an example of competition?
Two coffee shops on the same street lowering prices to attract customers is everyday competition. So is a football league, a spelling contest, or several firms bidding for the same contract. In each case, more than one party wants something only some of them can have, so they strive to come out on top.
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