compete

verb

com·​pete kəm-ˈpēt How to pronounce compete (audio)
competed; competing

intransitive verb

: to strive consciously or unconsciously for an objective (such as position, profit, or a prize) : be in a state of rivalry
competing teams
companies competing for customers

Examples of compete in a Sentence

Thousands of applicants are competing for the same job. She competed against students from around the country. We are competing with companies that are twice our size. Did you compete in the track meet on Saturday? The radio and the television were both on, competing for our attention.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Cosmetics hosted a kickoff party celebrating Katherine Legge, who was the only woman to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series' BetMGM 300 Saturday, and is the only woman currently competing in the NASCAR Cup & NASCAR Xfinity Series. People Staff, People.com, 25 May 2025 On March 8, 1990, when Lyle was arrested in connection with their parents' murders, Erik was competing in a tennis tournament in Israel. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025 Lionel Messi has competed in four Copa Americas in the same timeframe, the only tournament Conmebol contests outside its admittedly draining World Cup qualifying format. Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025 World Chase Tag has transformed the classic game of tag into a high-intensity sport, featuring parkour athletes competing in short, intense chases. John Cairney, Sportico.com, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for compete

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin competere to seek together, from Latin, to come together, agree, be suitable, from com- + petere to go to, seek — more at feather

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of compete was in 1620

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Compete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compete. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

compete

verb
com·​pete kəm-ˈpēt How to pronounce compete (audio)
competed; competing
: to strive for something (as a prize or reward) for which another is also striving : contest

More from Merriam-Webster on compete

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