competition
UK: ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃən | US: ˌkɑːmpəˈtɪʃən
n. the act or process of competing; rivalry
n. a contest or event in which people compete
n. (ecology) the struggle among organisms for limited resources
The word "competition" originates from Latin competitio, derived from competere ("to strive together"). The morpheme com- (together) combines with pet- (seek, from Latin petere), reflecting the idea of multiple parties striving for the same goal. The suffix -ition nominalizes the action, forming a term for organized rivalry. Over time, its meaning expanded from literal contests to broader ecological and economic contexts.
The fierce competition between the two companies drove innovation.
She won first prize in the piano competition.
Biological competition ensures the survival of the fittest species.
The job market faces intense competition due to high unemployment.
Healthy competition motivates students to improve their grades.