[noun] [C] - a person who is competing to get a job or elected position, or (UK and ANZ also) someone who is taking an examThere are three candidates standing in the election.(UK and ANZ) Candidates must write their names on the top page of the exam paper.(figurative) The English Department is a likely candidate for (= likely to be chosen for) staff cuts.
CANDIDATE
Meaning of CANDIDATE in English
Cambridge English vocab. Кембриджский английский словарь. 2012