: one that aspires to or is nominated or qualified for an office, membership, or award
a candidate for governor
a candidate for "Manager of the Year"
the best candidate for the job
b
: one likely or suited to undergo or be chosen for something specified
a candidate for surgery
2
: a student in the process of meeting final requirements for a degree
a PhD candidate
Did you know?
Roman Fashion Is Responsible for Candidate
When a man running for public office in ancient Rome greeted voters in the Forum, the center of judicial and public business, he wore a toga that had been whitened with chalk. As a result, the Latin word for someone seeking office came to be candidatus, meaning literally "clothed in white." Candidatus, in turn, comes from the adjective candidus, meaning "white." Candidatus was adopted into English as candidate, and since the 17th century that word has had an uncontested seat in the language.
Candidates can apply in person or send a resume. a Ph.D. candidate in linguistics The program has several doctoral candidates.
Recent Examples on the WebNorth Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Cheri Beasley and Republican Rep. Ted Budd also agreed to a sole debate on Oct. 7. Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 18 Sep. 2022 The result was that while 2012 GOP Senate candidate Connie Mack got just 31% of the vote in Osceola County, six years later Scott got almost 42% of the vote in the heart of the Puerto Rican community in Florida. Steven Lemongello, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Sep. 2022 Diehl, a former US Senate candidate, has embraced his ties to the former president. Matt Stout, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2022 Former Republican state representative and U.S. Senate candidate Themis Klarides, who represented Woodbridge and other towns, said officials of Connecticut’s cities and suburbs represent what their constituents want. Stephen Singer, Hartford Courant, 11 Sep. 2022 Democrats are waving off concerns about Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman's health after his recent stroke.Fox News, 8 Sep. 2022 Ex-President Donald Trump is coming to Ohio later this month to stump for Republican U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Vance, reports Andrew Tobias. Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, 7 Sep. 2022 But Trump did not back DeWine in his four-way GOP primary earlier this year, even though the former president endorsed U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Vance. Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 7 Sep. 2022 In Colorado, Republican Senate candidate Joe O’Dea has mounted a serious challenge to incumbent Democrat Michael Bennet by disavowing Trump’s false election claims. Isaac Arnsdorf, Michael Scherer And Josh Dawsey, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Sep. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Latin candidatus, from candidatus clothed in white, from candidus white; from the white toga worn by candidates for office in ancient Rome