contestant

noun

con·​tes·​tant kən-ˈte-stənt 

also ˈkän-ˌte-

1

: one that participates in a contest

2

: one that contests an award or decision

Synonyms of contestant

• competitor
• contender
• challenger
• rival

Examples of contestant in a Sentence

The contestant who catches the most fish wins.

The winning contestants will receive a cash prize.

Recent Examples on the Web

Onscreen, contestants raced to solve word puzzles, spinning the wheel of fortune and following clues about Christmas carols. —Oriana Van Praag, New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2026

While Earle, 25, repped her alma mater's team colors in a green jersey, the former pageant contestant sported outwear in her signature snakeskin print. —Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026

The host has also acknowledged that doing a season in 2006 that divided 20 contestants into four tribes by ethnicity—Black, Asian, Latino, and white—was not the best move. —David Canfield, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026

Conversations are taking place between the BBC and The Apprentice producer Naked over whether an Apprentice contestant who posted offensive tweets will appear on the Unfinished Business spin-off show. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

contest entry 1 + -ant entry 1

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for contestant

• decongestant

Kids Definition

contestant

noun

con·​test·​ant

kən-ˈtes-tənt

also ˈkän-ˌtes-

: a person who takes part in a contest

Legal Definition

contestant

noun

con·​tes·​tant

: one that initiates or participates in a contest