aspirant

1 of 2

noun

as·​pi·​rant ˈa-sp(ə-)rənt  ə-ˈspī-rənt 

: one who aspires

presidential aspirants

aspirant

2 of 2

adjective

: seeking to attain a desired position or status

the pilot was an aspirant astronaut

Synonyms of aspirant

Noun

• candidate
• applicant

Examples of aspirant in a Sentence

Noun

a debate between the two aspirants for the highest office

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The far left is having a moment, and Democratic presidential aspirants are no doubt watching. — Wendy R. Anderson, Washington Post, 7 Aug. 2026

And a majority of green-card aspirants could soon be required to leave the country in order to apply, which, advocates say, will prevent many from being let back in. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 20 June 2026

Adjective

Meanwhile, a flashback, set vaguely in the Before Times, presents a girl playing with the ragdoll Jessie, a cowgirl and aspirant sheriff, voiced enthusiastically and most capably by Joan Cusack. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2026

For a local political aspirant seeking to burnish her nativist credentials, the chance to trigger an international incident was apparently irresistible. — Bobby Ghosh, Time, 18 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1738, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1800, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

aspirant

noun

as·​pi·​rant

ˈas-p(ə-)rənt, 

ə-ˈspī-rənt

: a person who aspires

presidential aspirants