(~s)
1.
A ~ is someone who offers to pay a certain amount of money for something that is being sold. If you sell something to the highest ~, you sell it to the person who offers the most money for it.
The sale will be made to the highest ~ subject to a reserve price being attained.
N-COUNT: usu supp N
2.
A ~ for something is someone who is trying to obtain it or do it.
...~s for two licences to develop cellular telephone systems in Greece.
N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N for n