The word "challenge" refers to a task or situation that tests someone's abilities, skills, or determination. It often implies some level of difficulty or hardship that requires effort and resilience to overcome. A challenge can also be an invitation to compete or prove oneself against others.
The word "challenge" comes from the Old French word "chalenge," which means "to accuse, summon," and derives from the Latin word "calumnia," meaning "slander." The root reflects the idea of confronting someone, either in a contest or demanding a response.