photo finish

noun

1
: a race or finish in which contestants are so close that a photograph of them as they cross the finish line has to be examined to determine the winner
2
: a close contest

Examples of photo finish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
May 4 - Mystik Dan wins the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby in a dramatic photo finish. CNN, 21 Nov. 2024 And from the look of things, this is going to be yet another photo finish. Trefis Team, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 Polls going into election week show a toss-up race, signaling the possibility that the contest could prove to be a photo finish. Brett Samuels, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024 Trump is in what appears to be a photo finish race against Vice President Kamala Harris, less than two weeks until Election Day. Nidia Cavazos, CBS News, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for photo finish 

Word History

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of photo finish was in 1935

Dictionary Entries Near photo finish

Cite this Entry

“Photo finish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/photo%20finish. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

photo finish

noun
1
: a finish of a race in which contestants are so close that a photograph of them crossing the finish line has to be examined to decide the winner
2
: a close contest (as in an election)

More from Merriam-Webster on photo finish

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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