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

Not much, because most of the contestants treat their time on the show as something to ride out. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026

Other celebs to have been announced include Celebrity Traitors contestant Joe Lycett and the Sugababes. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026

At 12, Sophie was the youngest contestant in the North Carolina State Fair’s annual tobacco stringing contest, which pays homage to a way of life that was already largely past when her parents were kids. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Does anyone believe that a new chief of staff, with an untested relationship with Trump, would survive any longer than an Apprentice contestant? — Chris Whipple, Vanity Fair, 19 Oct. 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