participant
pah-TIH-sih-puhnt
Participant (noun) means a person who takes part in an activity, event, or study. Example: “Each participant received a certificate at the end of the workshop.”
noun
1
A person who takes part in an activity, event, or study.
"Each participant received a certificate at the end of the workshop."
"The study recruited 200 participants from three different cities."
"Every participant was asked to wear a name badge during the day."
How to use participant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone taking part in something, like a study, event, or competition.
Common pairings
study participant
active participant
participant survey
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like participant.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- participants
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Each _____ received a certificate at the end of the workshop.
Etymology
From Latin participans, present participle of participare, "to take part."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “participant” mean?
The word “participant” means a person who takes part in an activity, event, or study. In plain terms, someone taking part in something, like a study, event, or competition.
How do you pronounce “participant”?
“Participant” is pronounced pah-TIH-sih-puhnt (/pɑːɹˈtɪsəpənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “participant” in a sentence?
Here is “participant” used in a sentence: “Each participant received a certificate at the end of the workshop.”
What part of speech is “participant”?
“Participant” is a noun.
Where does the word “participant” come from?
The word “participant” comes from Latin. From Latin participans, present participle of participare, "to take part.".
Is “participant” a common word?
“Participant” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a participant and an observer?
A participant actively takes part in an activity, event, or study, while an observer merely watches without direct involvement. The distinction matters especially in research, where participants contribute data or actions and observers do not.
What is the difference between a participant and a contestant?
A participant is a general term for anyone taking part in an activity, event, or study, without implying competition. A contestant specifically takes part in a competition where there is a winner, making it a narrower term than participant.
Is participant used differently in research versus everyday contexts?
In research, participant is the standard, preferred term for a person taking part in a study, often replacing older terms like "subject" to emphasize their active role. In everyday contexts, it simply refers to anyone taking part in an activity or event, such as a race or workshop.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include participant:
