contestant

noun

con·​tes·​tant kən-ˈte-stənt How to pronounce contestant (audio)
also ˈkän-ˌte-
Synonyms of contestantnext
1
: one that participates in a contest
2
: one that contests an award or decision

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The young model was lauded as a political activist, famously getting into a heated feminist debate with fellow contestant Liberty Netuschil. James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Feb. 2026 Banks came under fire in 2021 when Sarah Hartshorne, a contestant on America’s Next Top Model Season 9, claimed that she and other contestants were only given $38 each day to pay for their own food while Banks made millions off the show. Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 17 Feb. 2026 At Bennison’s Bakery in downtown Evanston, crowds gathered Saturday to watch the 15th annual paczki-eating contest, where pairs of contestants raced against the clock to consume the most paczki — pastries similar in look and taste to doughnuts. Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026 Over three episodes, Banks, former contestants and other judges, including the photographer Nigel Barker, look back at the show, which ran from 2003 to 2018. Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contestant

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of contestant was in 1665

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contestant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contestant. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on contestant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster