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

The sprint-distance format had contestants swim 750 meters, bike 20,000 meters and run the final 5,000. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Set at a castle deep in the Scottish Highlands, this nail-biting psychological adventure sees contestants work together on a series of exhilarating missions to build a prize fund worth up to $250,000. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

Other contestants this season include Food Network host Giada De Laurentiis, Summer House’s Ciara Miller, Jimmy Kimmel Live sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez, and musician Taylor Hanson. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026

Alternatively, take your pick from the five onsite restaurants—spanning Mediterranean, Mexican, Japanese, and European cuisines—overseen by former Top Chef contestant Chef Christian Bravo. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 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