beauty contest
Americannoun
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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.
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Informal. any contest, election, etc., that is decided on the basis of popularity.
noun
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a competition in which the participants, usually women, are judged on their attractiveness, with a prize, and often a title, awarded to the winner
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informal any contest decided on the basis of superficial attractiveness, popularity, etc
the referendum might turn into a party political beauty contest
Etymology
Origin of beauty contest
First recorded in 1895–1900
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She had spent weeks in Mexico preparing for the finale of the prestigious beauty contest.
From BBC • Nov. 15, 2024
Westminster has long faced protests from animal rights activists who view the competition as a deplorable canine beauty contest fueling faddish puppy buying and reckless breeding.
From Seattle Times • May 10, 2024
A beauty contest to select Miss Grand Central Air Terminal 1947 in Glendale wound up with only 10 contestants.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 1, 2023
When the military seized power, 23-year-old Han Lay was a model about to take part in an international beauty contest in Thailand.
From Reuters • Jan. 31, 2023
A lady comes out of the house with long flaming-red hair and wearing enough makeup for a whole beauty contest.
From "American Street" by Ibi Zoboi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
