I. chal·lenge 1 S2 W2 AC /ˈtʃæləndʒ, ˈtʃælɪndʒ/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ challenging , ↑ challenged ≠ ↑ unchallenged , ↑ unchallengeable ; noun : ↑ challenge , ↑ challenger ; verb : ↑ challenge ; adverb : ↑ challengingly ]
1 . SOMETHING DIFFICULT [uncountable and countable] something that tests strength, skill, or ability, especially in a way that is interesting
challenge of
The company is ready to meet the challenges of the next few years.
the challenge of doing something
I relish the challenge of rebuilding the club.
face/take on/accept etc a challenge (=be ready to deal with one)
Martins now faces the biggest challenge of his career.
meet a challenge/rise to a challenge (=successfully deal with one)
a new and vibrant initiative to meet the challenge of the 21st century
intellectual/physical challenge
the intellectual challenge of postgraduate research
2 . QUESTION SOMETHING [countable] when someone refuses to accept that someone or something is right and legal
challenge to
a direct challenge to the Governor’s authority
challenge from
The President faces a strong challenge from nationalists.
pose/represent/present a challenge (to somebody)
The strike represented a serious challenge to the government.
mount/launch a challenge
They decided to mount a legal challenge to the decision.
3 . COMPETITION [countable] when someone tries to win something or invites someone to try to beat them in a fight, competition etc
challenge for
They are ready to mount a challenge for the championship.
They threw down the challenge that he couldn’t wash 40 cars in one hour (=invited him to try to do it) .
The Prime Minister narrowly avoided a leadership challenge last year.
4 . STOP [countable] a demand from someone such as a guard to stop and give proof of who you are, and an explanation of what you are doing
5 . IN LAW [countable] law a statement made before the start of a court case that a ↑ juror is not acceptable
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ meet a challenge (=deal with one)
Here are a few tips to help you meet the challenges of university life.
▪ face a challenge (=have to deal with one)
The company still faces some challenges.
▪ accept a challenge (=try to deal with one)
He was ready to accept new challenges.
▪ take on a challenge (=accept one)
The new headteacher has taken on the challenge of improving the school.
▪ present/pose a challenge (=be a difficult one)
These changes pose a real challenge to farmers.
▪ provide a challenge (=be an interesting one)
Her new job provided a real challenge.
▪ rise to a challenge (=deal successfully with it)
It was a difficult project but we rose to the challenge.
▪ love/enjoy/relish a challenge
Children enjoy a challenge so the work should not be too easy.
■ adjectives
▪ a big/major/huge/tremendous challenge
Building the tunnel presented a major challenge to engineers.
▪ a serious challenge
At the moment we are facing a serious environmental challenge.
▪ a real challenge (=a difficult one)
On Monday, Sharapova faced her first real challenge of the tournament.
▪ a formidable/daunting/tough challenge (=a very difficult one)
How to deal with waste is a daunting challenge for the west.
▪ the biggest challenge of something
This could be the biggest challenge of his career.
▪ an intellectual/physical/technical etc challenge
I love the physical challenge of climbing.
II. challenge 2 S3 W3 AC BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ challenging , ↑ challenged ≠ ↑ unchallenged , ↑ unchallengeable ; noun : ↑ challenge , ↑ challenger ; verb : ↑ challenge ; adverb : ↑ challengingly ]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: chalengier 'to accuse' , from Latin calumniari 'to accuse falsely' , from calumnia ; ⇨ ↑ calumny ]
1 . QUESTION SOMETHING to refuse to accept that something is right, fair, or legal:
a boy with a reputation for challenging the authority of his teachers
challenge a view/an idea/an assumption etc
Viewpoints such as these are strongly challenged by environmentalists.
They went to the High Court to challenge the decision.
challenge somebody to do something
I challenge Dr. Carver to deny his involvement!
2 . COMPETITION to invite someone to compete or fight against you, or to try to win something ⇨ challenger , dare
challenge somebody to something
After lunch, Carey challenged me to a game of tennis.
challenge for
Liverpool are challenging for the title (=in a position where they could win) .
3 . SOMETHING DIFFICULT to test the skills or abilities of someone or something SYN stimulate :
I’m really at my best when I’m challenged.
challenge somebody to do something
Every teacher ought to be challenging kids to think about current issues.
4 . STOP SOMEBODY to stop someone and demand proof of who they are, and an explanation of what they are doing:
We were challenged by the security guard at the gate.
5 . IN LAW law to state before the start of a court case that a ↑ juror is not acceptable
—challenger noun [countable] :
Lewis is his main challenger for the world title.