competition

/ˌkɒmpɪˈtɪʃən/
nounIntermediate
formal

A situation in which people or organizations try to be more successful than others by doing better than them in a particular activity or area

The company won the competition by offering better customer service.

The company won the competition by offering better customer service.

She entered a cooking competition and won first prize.

She entered a cooking competition and won first prize.

💡

The term can be used in various contexts, including sports, business, and academic settings.

Collocations

fierce competitionintense rivalryhealthy competitionbeneficial rivalry that encourages improvementwin a competitionto be declared the winner in a contest

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

cutthroat competitionphrase
extremely intense and ruthless rivalry
level the playing fieldphrase
to create equal opportunities for all participants

💡Pro Tip

Competition vs. Contest

While both terms refer to rivalry, 'competition' is broader and can refer to ongoing rivalry, whereas 'contest' usually refers to a specific event.

Gold Rule

Positive vs. Negative Competition

Competition can be constructive (e.g., in sports or business) or destructive (e.g., when it leads to unethical behavior).

📖Word Origin

From Middle French 'compétition', from Latin 'competitionem', from 'competere' (to strive together).

📝Usage Notes

Competition can be positive, fostering innovation and improvement, or negative, leading to unhealthy rivalry.

Word Breakdown

compet
to strive or seek together
root
+
-ition
the act or process of
suffix
English Dictionary