beauty contest

American  

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.

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beauty contest British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of beauty contest

First recorded in 1895–1900