1. a person or team that reaches the final stage of a competition

Examples

• She was a finalist in the spelling bee.
• The three finalists will compete for the scholarship.
• Our team became a finalist in the state championship.
• Each finalist must present their project to the judges.
• The Olympic finalist trained for years to reach this level.
• As a finalist, he felt both nervous and excited.
• The finalists were announced at the awards ceremony.