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Synonyms

participant

American  
[pahr-tis-uh-puhnt] / pɑrˈtɪs ə pənt /

noun

  1. a person or group that participates; partaker.

    Synonyms:
    colleague, contributor, associate, participator

adjective

  1. participating; sharing.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of participant

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin participant-, stem of participāns “sharing,” present participle of participāre “to share”; see participate

Explanation

A participant is a person who participates, or takes part in something. Vote on Election Day and you've just taken part in or become a participant in United States democracy. Participants play a role in the unfolding of events. A contestant is a participant on a game show. A football player is a participant in the sport. Someone talking is a participant in a conversation. You can sometimes be a participant without taking an active role — if you watch a crime taking place and do nothing to stop it, you might be called a passive participant.

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Vocabulary lists containing participant

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Once Participant 3 reached her full tirzepatide dose and had the electrodes implanted, she reported no food preoccupation, and her NAc activity reflected this silence.

From Science Daily • Dec. 8, 2025

A 60-year-old woman referred to as "Participant 3" in the study was living with severe, treatment-resistant obesity and persistent food noise.

From Science Daily • Dec. 8, 2025

It added: "On the margins of the Core Participant hearings in June, Irish government officials used the opportunity to convene a meeting to listen to families and survivors of the bombings."

From BBC • Aug. 7, 2025

Participant Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring runs a private clinic that helps patients wean off psychiatric medication.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 23, 2025

Since Skoll founded the company in 2004, Participant has released 135 films, 50 of which were documentaries and many of which were tied to awareness-raising impact campaigns.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 16, 2024

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