photo finish

noun

, Sports.

1. a finish of a race in which two or more contestants are so close to the finish line that reference to a photograph of the finish is necessary to determine the winner.

photo finish

noun

1. a finish of a race in which contestants are so close that a photograph is needed to decide the result
2. any race or competition in which the winners or placed contestants are separated by a very small margin

Other Words From

• photo-finish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of photo finish¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Knight's Choice has won Australia's famous Melbourne Cup, in a dramatically close race which went to a photo finish.

From BBC

The race is where it seemed to be headed at the beginning of the year – a photo finish where either candidate could end up on top.

From BBC

Since then, Harris’s campaign has had ups and downs, and is now locked in what is shaping up to be a photo finish next week.

From BBC

He beat Jamaica's Kishane Thompson in a dramatic photo finish to edge what has been described as the fastest 100m race in history - with the slowest of the eight finalists clocking an impressive 9.91 seconds.

From BBC

The photo finish process begins with three cameras — main, backup and infield — aimed at the track from different angles.

From Los Angeles Times