also–ran

noun al·so–ran \-ˌran\

: a person who has taken part in an election or contest and did not win

Full Definition of ALSO-RAN

: a horse or dog that finishes out of the money in a race

: a contestant that does not win

: one that is of little importance especially competitively <was just an also–ran in the scramble for … privileges — C. A. Buss>

See also–ran defined for English-language learners

1896

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