a person who seeks an office, honor, etc.: a candidate for governor.
a person who is selected by others as a contestant for an office, honor, etc.
a person who is deserving of or seems destined for a certain end or fate: Such a reckless spender is a candidate for the poorhouse.
a student studying for a degree: Candidates for the B.A. will have to meet certain minimum requirements.
verb (used without object),can·di·dat·ed,can·di·dat·ing.
to become a candidate for service as a new minister of a church; preach before a congregation that is seeking a new minister.
Origin of candidate
First recorded in 1605–15, candidate is from the Latin word candidātus “clothed in white” (adective), “candidate for office” (noun, in reference to the white togas worn by those seeking office); see candid, -ate1
OTHER WORDS FROM candidate
can·di·da·cy[kan-di-duh-see], /ˈkæn dɪ də si/, nounpre·can·di·da·ture,noun
The Democrats have also tried to steer that discontent in their direction — especially Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a long-time registered Independent, who was for a time a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Does Anyone Really Know What Socialism Is? (Ep. 408 Rebroadcast)|Stephen J. Dubner|September 17, 2020|Freakonomics
The announcement that Fraser would indeed attain the long-elusive corner office of a big Wall Street bank was widely celebrated—and kicked off widespread speculation about the most likely next candidates to follow her lead.
‘It has to have an impact’: What Citi’s new CEO means for other women on Wall Street|Maria Aspan|September 16, 2020|Fortune
Even that proposal was one that Biden, as a candidate who doesn’t hold elective office, obviously had no power to actually implement.
Trump’s incoherent defense of his coronavirus response|Aaron Blake|September 16, 2020|Washington Post
Biden holds a similar 22-point advantage on which candidate is more honest and trustworthy, 56 percent to 34 percent.
Post-ABC poll and others suggest Minnesota has shifted since 2016, but by how much?|Scott Clement, Dan Balz|September 16, 2020|Washington Post
Sinopharm has tested both of these vaccines in the UAE, but it is unclear if the UAE granted emergency approval to one or both candidates.
China’s controversial emergency-use program for COVID vaccines is going global|Grady McGregor|September 16, 2020|Fortune
A Republican candidate hoping to win red state support could find a worse team to root for than one from Dallas.
Will Chris Christie Regret His Cowboy Hug?|Matt Lewis|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In each contest, the Republican candidate outperformed the GOP result from 2012 among women voters.
Surprise! The GOP Closed the Gender Gap|Patricia Murphy|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Tyrangiel, 42, was considered a candidate to succeed Winkler.