beauty contest

noun

1

a

: an assemblage of girls or women at which judges select the most beautiful

called also beauty pageant

b

: a contest or competitive situation that is likened to a traditional beauty contest especially in involving judgments made on the basis of physical attractiveness or popular appeal

… an elite automotive expo and beauty contest where cars of only the highest caliber …

—Hannah Elliott

2

US politics : a presidential primary election in which the popular vote does not determine the number of convention delegates a candidate receives

Mr. Ford and Mr. Reagan are listed in the Republican preferential primary or "beauty contest."

—Charles Mohr

Examples of beauty contest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The expensive, unpredictable, corruption-laden beauty contests of old don’t happen anymore in large part because the IOC ended up with three consecutive Olympic Games in Asia, which was a bad look for a global sports organization and bad for business as television ratings in the U.S. dwindled. —Zack Pierce, The Athletic, 24 July 2024

The event also will feature wrestling, a chihuahua beauty contest, a car show and, of course, tacos and margaritas. —Jim Kiest, San Antonio Express-News, 3 Oct. 2024

Here's what to know about America's favorite beauty contest and who this year's contestants are: See video:Man keeps his cool in a bear face-off When is Fat Bear Week? —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 2 Oct. 2024

After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, Crosby won a beauty contest, which earned her a screen test with William Holden. —Andrés Buenahora, Variety, 21 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1a