someone who takes part in an activity
"he was a major player in setting up the corporation"
a person who participates in or is skilled at some game
"The veteran chess participant analyzed every move before making his decision."
One who participates.
"Every volunteer at the charity run was considered an active participant in raising funds for the local shelter."
Sharing; participating; having a share of part.
"When dividing the prize money, every participant received an equal share according to their contribution."
In plain English: A participant adjective describes someone who takes part in an activity rather than just watching it from the sidelines.
"The participant sports team won their first match last week."
Usage: The adjective form of participant, meaning sharing or participatory, is rare in modern English and should generally be avoided in favor of clearer synonyms like active or involved. Instead of using this archaic descriptor to describe someone taking part, simply use the noun "participant" as an agent or modify a verb directly with words such as participating.
The word "participant" was borrowed into English from the Middle French term participant, which itself comes from the Latin verb meaning to share or divide. This loanword eventually replaced an earlier Old English phrase that literally meant "one who takes a part."