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aspirant

American  
[uh-spahyuhr-uhnt, as-per-uhnt] / əˈspaɪər ənt, ˈæs pər ənt /

noun

  1. a person who aspires, as one who seeks or desires a career, advancement, status, etc..

    The aspirants for foundation grants had yet to prove themselves.

adjective

  1. aspiring or seeking to attain something important or of value.

aspirant British  
/ ˈæspɪrənt, əˈspaɪərənt /

noun

  1. a person who aspires, as to a high position

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. aspiring or striving

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of aspirant

First recorded in 1730–40; from French or directly from Latin aspīrant- (stem of aspīrāns, present participle of aspīrāre ); aspire, -ant

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.

When Henry of Navarre sought to become king in the 16th century, the Protestant aspirant faced fierce opposition within Catholic France.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

Soon after, Lynch came across her headshot while preparing “Mulholland Drive,” convinced she would be perfect for Betty, a fresh-faced aspirant just arrived in the City of Angels, ready to run down her acting fantasies.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2025

She took a shot for president in 2019 and had a bad primary run, but she's hardly the first presidential aspirant to flame out in their first run.

From Salon • Sep. 13, 2024

Also discussed as a possible aspirant is former reformist President Mohammad Khatami, but, as with Ahmadinejad, whether he would be allowed to run is another question.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 1, 2024

Let me suggest another story: strange facts are always aspirant plain facts.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.