challenger

American  

[chal-in-jer] / ˈtʃæl ɪn dʒər /

noun

1. a person or thing that challenges.

2. Boxing. a boxer who fights a champion for his championship title.

3. Radio. interrogator.

4. U.S. Aerospace. none Challenger the second space shuttle to orbit and return to earth: exploded 1½ min. after launch on Jan. 28, 1986, causing the death of all seven on board.

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Other Word Forms

• nonchallenger noun

Etymology

Origin of challenger

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; challenge, -er ¹

Example Sentences

The firm and others have also managed to keep technology challengers from pushing them out of brokerage, the industry’s prize business.

From The Wall Street Journal

Storey says that the result reaffirms Judo’s investment case as a high-growth challenger bank in a single product segment, operating against the backdrop of a low-growth concentrated banking sector.

From The Wall Street Journal

While the chasing pack all have at least one game in hand, City's closest challengers Manchester United are 11 points behind, Chelsea 12 and Arsenal a further point behind in fourth.

From BBC

The timed culinary game show, held in the “kitchen stadium,” pitted a challenger against an Iron Chef to create delicious dishes using a “secret ingredient.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“There is a strategic advantage for challengers to hold fire until after that event,” wrote JP Morgan economist Allan Monks in a note to clients.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• contender