con·test
kən-ˈtest 
ˈkän-ˌtest
ˈkän-ˌtest
contested; contesting; contests
: to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation
contester
noun
con·test
ˈkän-ˌtest
1
: a struggle for superiority or victory : competition
a football contest between rival teams
2
: a competition in which each contestant performs without direct contact with or interference from competitors
He won the contest for best photograph.
Examples of contest in a Sentence
Verb
She plans to contest a seat in Congress next year.
Both candidates have agreed to another debate before this hotly contested election.
Noun
Contest winners receive a cash prize.
Will you enter the contest?
She hopes to win the contest for mayor.
Democrats and Republicans are engaged in a contest for control of the House of Representatives.
Recent Examples on the Web
CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
The Brooks Fleet Feet Championships, formerly known as the Foot Locker Championships, is among the most storied events in cross-country, with more than 90 Olympians having competed in past editions, all contested on the same demanding course.
—James Varsallone, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
Carolina fell thanks to two costly third-quarter turnovers and an offense overmatched by a strong Seattle defense — and, with the NFC South crown at stake, that all leads into a win-and-you’re-in-the-playoffs Week 18 contest in Tampa Bay next weekend.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contest
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 817-kilometer (508-mile) land border – a dispute that has occasionally exploded into skirmishes and fighting.
—CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
The Brooks Fleet Feet Championships, formerly known as the Foot Locker Championships, is among the most storied events in cross-country, with more than 90 Olympians having competed in past editions, all contested on the same demanding course.
—James Varsallone, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
Noun
At halftime of this contest, the Giants, following rushing scores by Devin Singletary and Jaxson Dart, have a 17-3 lead over the Raiders.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
Carolina fell thanks to two costly third-quarter turnovers and an offense overmatched by a strong Seattle defense — and, with the NFC South crown at stake, that all leads into a win-and-you’re-in-the-playoffs Week 18 contest in Tampa Bay next weekend.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contest
Cite this Entry
“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contest. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
contest
1 of 2 verb
con·test
kən-ˈtest
ˈkän-ˌtest
ˈkän-ˌtest
: to make (something) a cause of dispute or fighting
contest a claim
contest
2 of 2 noun
con·test
ˈkän-ˌtest
: a struggle for victory : competition
Legal Definition
contest
1 of 2 transitive verb
con·test
kən-ˈtest
: to dispute or challenge through legal procedures
contest a will
contest
2 of 2 noun
con·test
ˈkän-ˌtest
: a challenge brought through formal or legal procedures
boundary controversies or other contests between states—Felix Frankfurter
Felix Frankfurter
specifically
: will contest see also no contest clause
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