ri·val /ˈrīvəl/ noun plural noun: rivals 1 a person or thing competing with another for the same objective or for superiority in the same field of activity. Rivals are meant to hate each other. Fight for the top. But now these two rival gangs have to work with each other to stay at the top. Will these two leaders be able to do it? Or will they let this rivalry get the beast of them and fight for the top?