Participants: meaning, definitions and examples

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participants

 

[ pɑːˈtɪsɪpənts ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

social event

People who take part in an event or activity.

Synonyms

attendees, contributors, members, players.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
participants

This word is suitable when referring to people who are actively involved in an event or activity, particularly discussions, meetings, or competitions.

  • There were many participants in the workshop.
  • The participants in the study were selected randomly.
attendees

Use this word when talking about people who are present at an event, such as a meeting, conference, or ceremony, without implying active participation.

  • The conference had over 500 attendees.
  • Attendees of the concert were very enthusiastic.
contributors

This term is ideal for referring to individuals who give something (like ideas, articles, or money) towards a project or cause. It often carries the connotation of active backing or support.

  • The magazine was filled with articles from various contributors.
  • We would like to thank all our contributors for their generous donations.
members

Use this word when mentioning individuals who belong to a group, organization, club, or team. It implies a sense of belonging and often, but not always, active involvement.

  • All members of the committee are invited to the meeting.
  • She is a member of several professional organizations.
players

Employ this term when referring to individuals who are part of a game, sport, or any activity that includes competitive or cooperative play.

  • The players on the soccer team practiced every evening.
  • There are ten players involved in the board game.

Examples of usage

  • All participants must register before the deadline.
  • The number of participants in the marathon exceeded expectations.
  • The participants were divided into small groups for the team-building activity.
  • The participants were greeted with a round of applause.
  • The conference attracted participants from all over the world.
Context #2 | Noun

research study

Subjects who are involved in a research study or experiment.

Synonyms

respondents, subjects, test subjects, volunteers.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
participants

Used in general to denote individuals taking part in any organized activity, event, or study.

  • All participants must submit their forms by Friday.
  • The conference attracted participants from around the world.
subjects

Often used in academic or experimental research to denote individuals or entities being studied.

  • The study included 50 subjects from various backgrounds.
  • Researchers observed the subjects over the course of six months.
volunteers

Denotes individuals who participate willingly in activities or studies without being paid, often for charity, community service, or research purposes.

  • The volunteers helped clean up the park after the event.
  • Several volunteers participated in the clinical trial.
respondents

Usually refers to people who answer surveys, questionnaires, or polls.

  • The survey received responses from over 1,000 respondents.
  • Respondents were asked to rate their satisfaction with the service.
test subjects

Specifically refers to individuals who are being tested in experiments, especially in scientific or medical research. Often carries a more clinical or laboratory connotation.

  • The test subjects were given a new drug to assess its effects.
  • Test subjects were monitored closely throughout the experiment.

Examples of usage

  • The participants were required to sign informed consent forms.
  • The study had a diverse group of participants.
  • The participants were compensated for their time and participation.
  • The researchers interviewed the participants individually.
  • The participants were asked to complete a questionnaire.
Context #3 | Noun

sports competition

Individuals or teams competing in a sports event.

Synonyms

athletes, competitors, contestants, players.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
participants

General term used to refer to people who take part in any activity or event.

  • All participants must register at the front desk
  • The workshop is open to all participants
competitors

Used to describe people or teams in a contest or competitive event, often implying rivalry.

  • The competitors faced off in a tense chess match
  • All competitors must adhere to the rules of the competition
contestants

Typically refers to individuals who take part in contests, often in talent shows or quizzes.

  • The contestants showcased their talents on stage
  • Each contestant has three minutes to present
athletes

Refers specifically to people who engage in physical sports and are often in competitive events.

  • The athletes lined up at the starting block
  • Professional athletes train for years to excel in their sports
players

Specifically refers to individuals who participate in games, particularly team sports or musical performances.

  • The soccer players practiced for hours each day
  • There are ten players on each basketball team

Examples of usage

  • The participants in the swimming competition practiced for months.
  • The participants in the soccer tournament displayed great teamwork.
  • She was one of the youngest participants in the race.
  • The participants in the basketball game showed exceptional skills.
  • The participants received medals for their performance.

Translations

Translations of the word "participants" in other languages:

🇵🇹 participantes

🇮🇳 प्रतिभागियों

🇩🇪 Teilnehmer

🇮🇩 peserta

🇺🇦 учасники

🇵🇱 uczestnicy

🇯🇵 参加者

🇫🇷 participants

🇪🇸 participantes

🇹🇷 katılımcılar

🇰🇷 참가자

🇸🇦 المشاركون

🇨🇿 účastníci

🇸🇰 účastníci

🇨🇳 参与者

🇸🇮 udeleženci

🇮🇸 þátttakendur

🇰🇿 қатысушылар

🇬🇪 მონაწილეები

🇦🇿 iştirakçılar

🇲🇽 participantes

Etymology

The word 'participants' originated from the Latin word 'participare', which means 'to take part in'. It entered the English language in the late 16th century. Over time, the term has been widely used in various contexts, from social events to research studies and sports competitions. The concept of participation is fundamental in many aspects of human interaction and engagement.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,626, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.