plural competitions
1
a
: the act or process of trying to get or win something (such as a prize or a higher level of success) that someone else is also trying to get or win : the act or process of competing
The school fosters an atmosphere of competition rather than cooperation. [=it encourages students to compete against each other instead of work together]
There will be intense/fierce competition for the top spots. [=many people will be trying to get the top spots]
These products are in competition with each other. [=these products are competing with each other]
b
: actions that are done by people, companies, etc., that are competing against each other
Prices are lower when there is competition among/between the stores.
—often + fromThe industry has been affected by competition from new technologies.
We're up against some stiff/tough competition from our rivals.
Downtown stores are looking for new ways to attract customers in the face of competition from the stores at the mall.
2
: a person or group that you are trying to succeed against : a person or group that you are competing with
He sized up the competition. [=looked at who he was competing against]
Don't let the competition know our trade secrets.
Note: Someone or something that has no competition is much better than others.
3
: a contest in which people try to win by being better, faster, etc., than others : an event in which people compete
They had/held/staged a competition to see who could sell the most lemonade.
a gymnastics/dance/talent competition
She won/lost the competition.
Cite this Entry
“Competition.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/competition. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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