photo finish
noun
1
: a race or finish in which contestants are so close that a photograph of them as they cross the finish line has to be examined to determine the winner
2
: a close contest
Examples of photo finish in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In speedskating, the Netherlands’ Xandra Velzeboer won gold in the women’s 500-meter final, and her countryman Jens van ’t Wout won gold in the men’s 1,000 meters in a thrilling photo finish.
—
The Sports Desk, NBC news, 12 Feb. 2026
There can be photo finishes, and crashes.
—Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Beyond the dazzling jumps, daring descents and photo finishes lie lives shaped by sacrifice and sheer determination.
—Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Showcase fresh summer stone fruit with a slab pie for a crowd that makes a photo finish with a lattice crust.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for photo finish
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
The Sports Desk, NBC news, 12 Feb. 2026
There can be photo finishes, and crashes.
—Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Beyond the dazzling jumps, daring descents and photo finishes lie lives shaped by sacrifice and sheer determination.
—Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Showcase fresh summer stone fruit with a slab pie for a crowd that makes a photo finish with a lattice crust.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for photo finish
Cite this Entry
“Photo finish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/photo%20finish. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
