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

• challenger
• competition
• competitor
• contender
• corrival
• 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

Four top contestants will advance to the four-game (two-episode) semifinals. —Erin Jensen, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025

Six contestants were eliminated during The Voice Season 27 Playoffs on Monday night (April 28), as Team Adam and Team Kelsea faced off in a night filled with standout performances, tough decisions, and no second chances. —Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 29 Apr. 2025

The major announcement was made during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame episode of American Idol, where 14 contestants performed songs made famous by Rock Hall inductees, and audience members voted for the top 12. —Marina Watts, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025

For the artist, who began his musical journey as a contestant of 2018’s K-pop reality survival show, Under Nineteen, competing against 56 other contestants for a spot in a new K-pop idol group. —Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

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