A contender is someone competing seriously for a prize, position, or victory. When someone becomes a contender for the spelling bee championship, they've proven they have a real chance to win. They're skilled enough that others see them as a legitimate threat. A contender isn't guaranteed to succeed, but they're skilled and prepared enough that others take them seriously.

The word often appears in sports and competitions. Before a big tournament, commentators identify the top contenders for the title: the teams or athletes most likely to end up champions. A boxer becomes a contender for the heavyweight title after winning enough fights to earn a championship match.

You'll also hear contender in elections and job searches. When several qualified people apply for class president, each candidate is a contender for the position. The strongest contenders are those who campaign well and earn genuine support.

A contender is someone stretching toward victory, striving with full effort. Being a contender means you've worked hard enough to have a legitimate shot at winning, even when facing tough competition.