beauty contest

noun

1. a competition in which the entrants, usually women, are judged as to physical beauty and sometimes personality and talent, with the winners awarded prizes or titles.
2. Informal. any contest, election, etc., that is decided on the basis of popularity.

beauty contest

noun

1. a competition in which the participants, usually women, are judged on their attractiveness, with a prize, and often a title, awarded to the winner
2. informal.
   any contest decided on the basis of superficial attractiveness, popularity, etc

   the referendum might turn into a party political beauty contest

Word History and Origins

Origin of beauty contest¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

She had spent weeks in Mexico preparing for the finale of the prestigious beauty contest.

From BBC

Or perhaps entering an international beauty contest with the ultimate aim of launching your modelling career on the world stage.

From BBC

Chidimma Adetshina, who was a finalist in the Miss South Africa beauty contest, sparked criticism as despite being a South African citizen, her father is Nigerian and her mother has Mozambican roots.

From BBC

She said rather than being a beauty contest the ethos of Miss England is now "beauty with a purpose".

From BBC

She accepted there was still a tension between what was perceived by many as a beauty contest and shunning body stereotypes, but urges a different outlook on the contest.

From BBC