/ ˌɒpəˈzɪʃn; NAmE ˌɑːpə-/ noun
1.
[ U ] opposition (to sb/sth) the act of strongly disagreeing with sb/sth, especially with the aim of preventing sth from happening :
Delegates expressed strong opposition to the plans.
The army met with fierce opposition in every town.
He spent five years in prison for his opposition to the regime.
opposition forces (= people who are arguing, fighting, etc. with another group)
2.
the opposition [ sing.+ sing./pl. v . ] the people you are competing against in business, a competition, a game, etc. :
He's gone to work for the opposition.
The opposition is / are mounting a strong challenge to our business.
Liverpool couldn't match the opposition in the final and lost 2–0.
3.
the Opposition [ sing.+ sing./pl. v . ] the main political party that is opposed to the government; the political parties that are in a parliament but are not part of the government :
the leader of the Opposition
Opposition MPs / parties
the Opposition spokesman on education
4.
[ U , C ] ( formal ) the state of being as different as possible; two things that are as different as possible :
the opposition between good and evil
His poetry is full of oppositions and contrasts.
► op·pos·ition·al / -ʃənl; NAmE / adjective [ usually before noun ] ( formal ):
oppositional groups / tactics
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IDIOMS
- in opposition
- in opposition to sb/sth
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin oppositio(n-) , from opponere set against.