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
Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 18 May 2026
They qualified candidates in 204 state legislative races, contesting 89% of House seats and 82% of Senate seats, their broadest slate of candidates in those contests in at least three decades, according to party officials.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 18 May 2026
Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2026
The contest is the latest sign of the president's influence, despite approaching the back half of his final term.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 17 May 2026
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
While he has been given the green light to contest a by-election in Makerfield, in the north of England, victory is not guaranteed, as rival parties line up to contest the seat.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 18 May 2026
They qualified candidates in 204 state legislative races, contesting 89% of House seats and 82% of Senate seats, their broadest slate of candidates in those contests in at least three decades, according to party officials.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 18 May 2026
Noun
Dowdell was selected the MVP of the contest with 141 yards receiving, two scores and an interception on defense.
—Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2026
The contest is the latest sign of the president's influence, despite approaching the back half of his final term.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for contest
Cite this Entry
“Contest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contest. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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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