Definition of challenge

• n. - An invitation to engage in a contest or controversy of any kind; a defiance; specifically, a summons to fight a duel; also, the letter or message conveying the summons.
• n. - The act of a sentry in halting any one who appears at his post, and demanding the countersign.
• n. - A claim or demand.
• n. - The opening and crying of hounds at first finding the scent of their game.
• n. - An exception to a juror or to a member of a court martial, coupled with a demand that he should be held incompetent to act; the claim of a party that a certain person or persons shall not sit in trial upon him or his cause.
• n. - An exception to a person as not legally qualified to vote. The challenge must be made when the ballot is offered.
• n. - To call to a contest of any kind; to call to answer; to defy.
• n. - To call, invite, or summon to answer for an offense by personal combat.
• n. - To claim as due; to demand as a right.
• n. - To censure; to blame.
• n. - To question or demand the countersign from (one who attempts to pass the lines); as, the sentinel challenged us, with "Who comes there?"
• n. - To take exception to; question; as, to challenge the accuracy of a statement or of a quotation.
• n. - To object to or take exception to, as to a juror, or member of a court.
• n. - To object to the reception of the vote of, as on the ground that the person in not qualified as a voter.
• v. i. - To assert a right; to claim a place.