If one person or thing is vying with another for something, the people or things are competing for it. California is vying with other states to capture a piece of the growing communications market Four rescue plans are vying to save the zoo In hospitals, business plans vie with patients for doctors' attention The two are vying for the support of New York voters. = compete. to compete very hard with someone in order to get something vie for (envier , from invitare; INVITE)