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challenge

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noun British English pronunciation: challenge /ˈtʃælɪndʒ/ 
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singularchallenge
pluralchallenges

Related dictionary definitions

  1. 1
    [countable/uncountable] something that needs a lot of skill, energy, and determination to deal with or achieve, especially something you have never done before and will enjoy doing

    I was bored with my job and felt I needed a new challenge.

    meet a challenge (=deal with it successfully):

    Are western nations ready to meet the enormous environmental challenges that lie ahead?

    challenge of:

    We were all keen walkers, and enjoyed the challenge of this remote place.

    the challenge is to do something:

    The challenge for policy-makers is to achieve economic growth without damaging the environment.

    face a challenge (=have to deal with one):

    The new government faces the daunting challenge of completing the building on time.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  challengeThesaurus entry for this meaning of challenge
  2. 2
    [countable] an action or idea that questions whether something is true, accurate, or legal

    He began a legal challenge to clear his name.

    challenge to:

    There seems to be no significant challenge to the party’s free-market ideology.

    pose/present a challenge to something:

    Recent discoveries pose a serious challenge to accepted views on the age of the universe.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  challengeThesaurus entry for this meaning of challenge
    1. a.
      a refusal to accept someone’s authority
      challenge to:

      The strike was seen as a direct challenge to the authority of the government.

      mount a challenge (=make one):

      They have failed to mount a serious challenge to the existing leadership.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  challengeThesaurus entry for this meaning of challenge
    2. b.
      legal a refusal to accept someone as a member of a jury
      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  challengeThesaurus entry for this meaning of challenge
  3. 3
    [countable] an invitation to someone to compete or fight, especially in sport
    challenge for:

    Agassi returned to make a major challenge for the Wimbledon title.

    issue a challenge:

    One of the men issued the challenge, ‘I’ll take on any two of you.’

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  challengeThesaurus entry for this meaning of challenge
    1. a.
      [singular] used in the names of competitions, especially sports competitions

      one of the golfers competing in the Million Dollar Challenge

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  challengeThesaurus entry for this meaning of challenge

This is the British English definition of challenge. View American English definition of challenge.

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