dogfight

/ˌdɔgˈfaɪt/

Other forms: dogfighting; dogfights

Definitions of dogfight

1. noun

   a fiercely disputed contest
   “their rancor dated from a political dogfight between them”

   “a real dogfight for third place”

   “a prolonged dogfight over their rival bids for the contract”

   type of:

   competition, contest

   an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants
2. noun

   disorderly fighting
   synonyms: hassle, rough-and-tumble, scuffle, tussle

   type of:

   combat, fight, fighting, scrap

   the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
3. noun

   an aerial engagement between fighter planes
   type of:

   battle, conflict, engagement, fight

   a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
4. verb

   engage in an aerial battle with another fighter plane
   type of:

   battle, combat

   battle or contend against in or as if in a battle
5. noun

   a violent fight between dogs (sometimes organized illegally for entertainment and gambling)
   type of:

   combat, fight, fighting, scrap

   the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
6. verb

   arrange for an illegal dogfight
   type of:

   arrange, stage

   plan, organize, and carry out (an event)