challenge

[chal-inj]

noun

1. a call or summons to engage in any contest, as of skill, strength, etc.

2. something that by its nature or character serves as a call to battle, contest, special effort, etc..

   Space exploration offers a challenge to humankind.

3. a call to fight, as a battle, a duel, etc.

4. a demand to explain, justify, etc..

   a challenge to the treasurer to itemize expenditures.

5. difficulty in a job or undertaking that is stimulating to one engaged in it.

6. Military.,  the demand of a sentry for identification or a countersign.

7. Law.,  a formal objection to the qualifications of a particular juror, to that juror serving, or to the legality of an entire jury.

8. the assertion that a vote is invalid or that a voter is not legally qualified.

9. Biology.,  the process of inducing or assessing physiological or immunological activity by exposing an organism to a specific substance.

10. Hunting.,  the crying of a hound on finding a scent.

verb (used with object)

challenged, challenging 

1. to summon to a contest of skill, strength, etc.

   Synonyms: invite, bid, dare

2. to take exception to; call in question.

   to challenge the wisdom of a procedure.

   Synonyms: doubt, impute, question

3. to demand as something due or rightful.

4. Military.,  to halt and demand identification or countersign from.

5. Law.,  to take formal exception to (a juror or jury).

6. to have a claim to; invite; arouse; stimulate.

   a matter which challenges attention.

7. to assert that (a vote) is invalid.

8. to assert that (a voter) is not qualified to vote.

9. to expose an organism to a specific substance in order to assess its physiological or immunological activity.

10. Archaic.,  to lay claim to.

verb (used without object)

challenged, challenging 

1. to make or issue a challenge.

2. Hunting.,  (of hounds) to cry or give tongue on picking up the scent.

adjective

1. donated or given by a private, corporate, or government benefactor on condition that the recipient raise an additional specified amount from the public.

   a challenge grant.

challenge

/ ˈtʃælɪndʒ /

verb

1. to invite or summon (someone to do something, esp to take part in a contest)

2. (also intr) to call (something) into question; dispute

3. to make demands on; stimulate

   the job challenges his ingenuity

4. to order (a person) to halt and be identified or to give a password

5. law to make formal objection to (a juror or jury)

6. to lay claim to (attention, etc)

7. (intr) hunting (of a hound) to cry out on first encountering the scent of a quarry

8. to inject (an experimental animal immunized with a test substance) with disease microorganisms to test for immunity to the disease

noun

1. a call to engage in a fight, argument, or contest

2. a questioning of a statement or fact; a demand for justification or explanation

3. a demanding or stimulating situation, career, object, etc

4. a demand by a sentry, watchman, etc, for identification or a password

5. an assertion that a person is not entitled to vote or that a vote is invalid

6. law a formal objection to a person selected to serve on a jury ( challenge to the polls ) or to the whole body of jurors ( challenge to the array )

Other Word Forms

• challengeable adjective
• challenger noun
• prechallenge verb (used with object)
• rechallenge verb (used with object)
• unchallengeable adjective
• unchallengeably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of challenge¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English chalenge, from Old French, variant of chalonge, from Latin calumnia “false statement”; calumny

Word History and Origins

Origin of challenge¹

C13: from Old French chalenge, from Latin calumnia _calumny

Example Sentences

There’s ongoing research into drugs that might “enhance cognition or treat challenging behaviors like agitation, depression, hallucinations, and other neuro-psychiatric or behavioral symptoms.”

From Los Angeles Times

We know that school holidays can bring particular challenges for families on lower incomes and children can face triple inequalities of social isolation, poor diet and low levels of physical activity over the holiday periods.

From BBC

The ongoing civil war in Sudan has also made rescue efforts more challenging, another aid group World Vision stated.

From BBC

"I challenged the remaining issue of unwanted touching but have had to accept a difference in perception, and I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. It was never intended."

From BBC

After numerous scandals in recent years, McDonnell’s selection for the job was widely seen as offering stability while the city prepared for the massive security challenges of the upcoming World Cup and Olympic Games.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ask for 
• assert 
• call for 
• claim 
• confront 
• defy 
• demand 
• denounce 
• impose 
• require 
• test 
• try