Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

photo-finish

noun

/ˈfoʊtoʊ ˈfɪnɪʃ/

Definition

A photo-finish is a race outcome that is determined by a photograph taken at the finish line, capturing the exact moment competitors cross it.

Examples

The horse won the race in a thrilling photo-finish, winning by just a nose.
The judges had to review the photo-finish to determine the winner of the close sprint.
In high-stakes competitions, a photo-finish can mean the difference between gold and silver medals.

Meaning

The term photo-finish refers to a method of determining which competitor finished first in a race when the race is too close to call through normal observation.