Definition, synonyms and related words
plural of contest
"The school newsletter listed several contests for students to enter, including a science fair and a spelling bee."
In plain English: Contests are competitions where people try to beat each other to win a prize.
"The three contestants are waiting nervously before the final contest begins."
Usage: Use "contests" to refer to multiple competitions or instances where people strive to win a prize or prove superiority. Do not use this form when you mean to challenge or oppose someone, which requires the verb "contest."
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of contest
"She contests every minor detail of the contract before signing it."
In plain English: To contest means to argue against something or try to prove it is wrong.
"The two runners will contest the final lap to see who finishes first."
Usage: Use "contests" to describe when someone actively challenges or opposes another person's claim, decision, or authority in the present tense. For example, she contests the verdict because she believes it was unfair.
Derived from Latin contestari (to testify), it originally meant to bear witness or affirm something publicly before entering its modern sense of competing against others. The verb form entered English in the 14th century, evolving into a noun by the mid-1500s.