finalist

noun

fi·​nal·​ist ˈfī-nə-list 

: a contestant in a competition finals

Examples of finalist in a Sentence

They interviewed all of the finalists before making a decision.

a finalist in the tennis tournament

Recent Examples on the Web

After a nationwide search, he was selected over three other finalists. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 30 June 2026

The two Western Conference finalists from this past postseason head up the leaderboard. — Juan Carlos Blanco, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Under the law, which took effect immediately after the governor signed it, universities only have to disclose the name of the sole finalist for president to the public. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026

Salama is also the author of the memoir Stranger in the Desert, a finalist for the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

final entry 1 + -ist entry 1

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

finalist

noun

fi·​nal·​ist ˈfīn-ᵊl-əst 

: a contestant in the finals of a competition