challenge

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 a new or difficult task that tests sb's ability and skill: an exciting / interesting challenge * The role will be the biggest challenge of his acting career. * to face a challenge (= to have to deal with one) * Destruction of the environment is one of the most serious challenges we face. * Schools must meet the challenge of new technology (= deal with it successfully). * I'm looking forward to the challenge of my new job. 2 an invitation or a suggestion to sb that they should enter a competition, fight, etc: to accept / take up a challenge * to mount a challenge 3 ~ (to sth) a statement or an action that shows that sb refuses to accept sth and questions whether it is right, legal, etc: It was a direct challenge to the president's authority. * Their legal challenge was unsuccessful. verb 1 [VN] to question whether a statement or an action is right, legal, etc.; to refuse to accept sth: The story was completely untrue and was successfully challenged in court. * She does not like anyone challenging her authority. * This discovery challenges traditional beliefs. 2 ~ sb (to sth) to invite sb to enter a competition, fight, etc.; to suggest strongly that sb should do sth (especially when you think that they might be unwilling to do it): [VN] Mike challenged me to a game of chess. * [VNtoinf] The opposition leader challenged the prime minister to call an election. 3 [VN] to test sb's ability and skills, especially in an interesting way: The job doesn't really challenge her. 4 [VN] to order sb to stop and say who they are or what they are doing: We were challenged by police at the border.