English Explanatory Dictionary

challenge

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A confrontation; a dare.
  2. An antagonization or instigation intended to convince a person to perform an action they otherwise would not.
  3. A bid to overcome something.
  4. An attempt to take possession; a tackle.
  5. A summons to fight a duel; also, the letter or message conveying the summons.
  6. The act of a sentry in halting a person and demanding the countersign, or (by extension) the action of a computer system demanding a password, etc.
  7. An attempt to have a work of literature restricted or removed from a public library or school curriculum.
  8. A difficult task, especially one that the person making the attempt finds more enjoyable because of that difficulty.
  9. A procedure or action.
  10. The act of appealing a ruling or decision of a court of administrative agency.
  11. A judge's interest in the result of a case, constituting grounds for them to not be allowed to sit the case (e.g., a conflict of interest).
  12. The act of seeking to remove a judge, arbitrator, or other judicial or semi-judicial figure for reasons of alleged bias or incapacity.
verb
  1. To invite (someone) to take part in a competition.
  2. To dare (someone).
  3. To dispute (something); to contest.
  4. To call something into question or dispute.
  5. To make a formal objection to a juror.
  6. To be difficult or challenging for.
  7. To claim as due; to demand as a right.
  8. To censure; to blame.
  9. To question or demand the countersign from (one who attempts to pass the lines).
  10. To object to the reception of the vote of, e.g. on the ground that the person is not qualified as a voter.
  11. To take (a final exam) in order to get credit for a course without taking it.

Pronunciation

/ˈt͡ʃæl.ɪnd͡ʒ/ /ˈt͡ʃæl.ənd͡ʒ/ En-us-challenge.ogg

Word forms

challenge challenges challenging challenged

Etymology

From Middle English chalenge, variant with palatalization of Middle English kalange (“an accusation, claim”), from Old French chalenge, chalonge, palatalized Central French variants of Old Northern French calenge, calonge (see Continental Norman calengier), from Latin calumnia (“a false accusation, calumny”). Cognate with Old English hōl (“calumny”). Doublet of calumny.

Synonyms

becall call out

Related words

challenger challenging dechallenge rechallenge

Derived words

challengeable challenged challengee challengeful challengeless challenger challenge run challengest challengeth counterchallenge dechallenge floor temperature challenge frame challenge immunochallenge megachallenge mischallenge multichallenge multichallenger nonchallenge overchallenge postchallenge prechallenge rechallenge subchallenge superchallenge unchallengeable unchallengeably unchallenged underchallenge challenge coin challenge exam drug challenge high challenge ice bucket challenge peremptory challenge rise to the challenge room temperature challenge
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