Competition

Competition is a surprisingly difficult concept even to define. Modern lexicographers have failed repeatedly to improve on the definition given by Samuel Johnson in his 1755 work Dictionary of the English Language. In it he declares "competition" to be a noun meaning "the act of endeavoring to gain what another endeavors to gain at the same time; rivalry; contest." Yet even this definition is unacceptably narrow, since it limits to two the number of admissible competitors. Auctions, spelling bees, primary elections, horse races, and track and field events, as well as golf, tennis, and bowling tournaments, typically allow large numbers of hopefuls to compete. At the very least, Dr. Johnson's definition should be amended to read "what others endeavor to gain."