verb
compete
kuhm-PEET
verb
1
To try to win or do better than others in a contest, market, or rivalry.
"Dozens of runners competed in the marathon."
"Small businesses struggle to compete with large chains on price."
How to Use Compete
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo try to beat others or hold your own against them in some kind of contest.
Common pairings
compete against
compete for
compete in a tournament
Word Forms
competed past tense, competes singular
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Dozens of runners _____ in the marathon.
Etymology
From Latin competere, "to strive together, to be fit for," from com- ("with") plus petere ("to seek" or "aim for").