finalists
n. countable B1 Intermediate US //ˈfaɪnəɫɪsts// UK //fˈaɪnəlˌɪsts// fi·nal·ists
n. the people or teams who reach the last stage of a competition. They are the ones competing for the final prize.
n. the competitors who have successfully advanced through preliminary rounds to participate in the final stage of a contest or tournament.
The three finalists wait nervously for the judges to announce the winner.
After weeks of intense cooking challenges, the two finalists will prepare a three-course meal for the celebrity chefs.
The selection committee struggled to choose between the finalists, as each candidate demonstrated an exceptional level of technical proficiency and creative vision during the interview process.
Usage
Usually used in the plural to refer to the group of remaining competitors.