(~s)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ is someone who is being considered for a position, for example someone who is running in an election or applying for a job.
The Democratic ~ is still leading in the polls...
We all spoke to them and John emerged as the best ~.
N-COUNT: oft N for n
2.
A ~ is someone who is taking an examination. (BRIT)
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3.
A ~ is someone who is studying for a degree at a college. (AM)
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4.
A ~ is a person or thing that is regarded as being suitable for a particular purpose or as being likely to do or be a particular thing.
Those who are overweight or indulge in high-salt diets are ~s for hypertension.
N-COUNT: usu N for n