challenge

chal|lenge1 [ `tʃæləndʒ ] noun ***

1. ) count or uncount something that needs a lot of skill, energy, and determination to deal with or achieve, especially something you have never done before and will enjoy doing:

I was bored with my job and felt I needed a new challenge.

challenge of: We were all enthusiastic walkers, and enjoyed the challenge of this remote place.

meet a challenge (=deal with it successfully): Are western nations ready to meet the enormous environmental challenges that lie ahead?

the challenge is to do something: The challenge for policy-makers is to achieve economic growth without damaging the environment.

face a challenge (=have to deal with one): The company faces the daunting challenge of completing the building on time.

2. ) count an action or idea that questions whether something is true, accurate, or legal:

He began a legal challenge to clear his name.

challenge to: There seems to be no significant challenge to the party's free-market ideology.

pose/present a challenge to something: Recent discoveries pose a serious challenge to accepted views on the age of the universe.

a ) a refusal to accept someone's authority:

challenge to: The strike was seen as a direct challenge to the authority of the government.

mount a challenge (=make one): They have failed to mount a serious challenge to the existing leadership.

b ) LEGAL a refusal to accept someone as a member of a JURY

3. ) count an invitation to someone to compete or fight, especially in a sport:

challenge for: Agassi returned to make a major challenge for the Wimbledon title.

issue a challenge: One of the men issued the challenge, I'll take on any two of you.

a ) singular used in the names of competitions, especially sports competitions:

one of the golfers competing in the Million Dollar Challenge

challenge

chal|lenge 2 [ `tʃæləndʒ ] verb transitive ***

1. ) to question whether something is true, accurate, or legal:

No one has challenged the assumptions that are made in the report.

This decision is likely to be challenged by the oil companies.

challenge someone on something: They're not likely to challenge us on any of the details.

challenge someone to do something: We challenged the company to prove that its system was safe.

a ) to refuse to accept someone's authority:

The president has accused the provincial government of challenging his leadership.

b ) LEGAL to refuse to accept someone as a member of a JURY

2. ) to invite someone to compete or fight:

challenge someone to something: The girls challenged the boys to a game of basketball.

3. ) to test someone's skill and abilities:

My present job doesn't really challenge me.

A problem that has intrigued and challenged me for many years.

4. ) usually passive if you are challenged by someone, they ask you who you are and why you are in a particular place:

We were immediately challenged by armed guards.