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    candidate

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    candidate
    can‧di‧date W2 /ˈkændədət, ˈkændɪdət $ -deɪt, -dət/ noun [countable]
     Date: 1600-1700
     Language: Latin
     Origin: candidatus, from candidatus 'dressed in white', from candidus ( ⇨ candid); because someone trying to get elected in ancient Rome wore white clothes
    1. someone who is being considered for a job or is competing in an election:
        a presidential candidate
        candidate for
        There are only three candidates for the job.
    2. British English someone who is taking an examination:
        Candidates are not allowed to use a calculator in this exam.
    3. someone or something that is likely to experience or get something
        candidate for
        The school is an obvious candidate for extra funding.
        The novel must be a prime candidate for the award.
         
    COLLOCATIONS
    ■ adjectives
       ▪ a Republican/Democratic/Labour etc candidate This part of Florida usually supports Republican candidates.
       ▪ a presidential candidate What is the system for selecting presidential candidates?
       ▪ a parliamentary candidate O'Connor was the parliamentary candidate for the Liberal Democrats.
       ▪ a possible/potential candidate (=someone who you might give a job or position to) There were two women who were possible candidates.
       ▪ a prospective candidate (=someone who might apply for a job or position) Prospective candidates must be educated to degree level.
       ▪ the successful candidate (=the one who gets the job or position) The successful candidate will be innovative and self-motivated.
    ■ verbs
       ▪ stand as a candidate for something (=compete for a position in an election) Lee stated that he did not intend to stand as a candidate in the presidential elections.
       ▪ put somebody/something forward as a candidate (=suggest someone for election) He allowed his name to be put forward as a candidate for governor.
       ▪ nominate/put up a candidate (=put forward a candidate) Any member may nominate a candidate.
       ▪ field a candidate (=have one of your party's members competing for election) The Green Party decided not to field a candidate in Darlington.
       ▪ select/choose a candidate Taylor was selected as Tory candidate.
       ▪ endorse a candidate (=officially support a candidate) The White House declined to endorse the Republican candidate.