WordGarden.iocompetition
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /kˌɒmpətˈɪʃən/
US
- /ˌkɑmpəˈtɪʃən/
Meanings
Noun
an organized contest or event in which people or teams compete
the activity or situation of trying to win or gain an advantage over others
rivalry among businesses for customers, sales, or market advantage
More meaningsFewer meanings
the people, teams, or organizations someone is competing against
the interaction in which organisms compete for limited resources
Beyond the definition
Competition isn't always about winning a prize; it's the act of striving for something alongside others. Think of two squirrels racing for the last acorn—that's competition! It can be friendly, like a board game night with your family, or fierce, like businesses battling for customers. Sometimes, you compete with someone, and sometimes you compete against them. A healthy dose of competition can push us to improve, but too much can create stress and negativity. The world is full of it—from sports and games to jobs and even dating!
Competition is the rivalry between individuals or groups striving for the same goal, prize, or resource. It's a fundamental part of life, woven into everything from natural selection in biology to economic systems in society. While often associated with contests like races or tournaments, competition extends far beyond formal events. You compete with colleagues for promotions, with friends for attention, and even with yourself to achieve personal goals.
The context of "competition" is key. It can be economic (businesses competing for market share), academic (students vying for top grades), or athletic (teams battling for championships). Sometimes competition is direct—a head-to-head race. Other times it's indirect—companies improving their products to attract customers, even without directly challenging each other.
The word "competition" functions as a noun ("The competition was fierce"), while the action itself is expressed through the verb "compete" ("Companies are constantly competing to innovate"). It's important to remember that while competition often implies winners and losers, it doesn't always have to be negative. Healthy competition can foster creativity and drive improvement. Consider the "Space Race"—the intense rivalry between nations accelerated technology so rapidly that it helped put a human on the Moon, ultimately benefiting all of humanity. Competition is powerful, and like any power, it needs to be wielded with balance and purpose.
Examples
- 1
College contest
She won a photography competition at college.
- 2
Course places
There’s a lot of competition for places on that course.
- Patterncompetition for + place/opportunity
many people want the same thing
- 3
Business pressure
Small cafés face tough competition from big chains.
- Patterncompetition from + competitor
pressure from others trying to get the same customers
- 4
Rival brands
The two brands are in direct competition with each other.
- Patternin competition with + person/company
trying to do better than them
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Prices
Increased competition has pushed prices down.
- 6
Team motivation
Healthy competition in the team made everyone train harder.
- Phrasehealthy competition
a friendly situation that helps people improve
- 7
Siblings
Sibling competition can start at a very young age.
- 8
No rivals
With no real competition, the company became slow to change.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- tournament
- showdown
- arms race
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- fierce competition
- healthy competition
- competition between
- enter a competition
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- competitionnoun
Forms
- competitionspluralnoun