1 [noncount] 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 + from ▪ The 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 the competition : 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. ◊Someone or something that has no competition is much better than others.
▪ In my opinion, this restaurant has no competition. 3 [count] : 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.