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Synonyms

candidacy

American  
[kan-di-duh-see] / ˈkæn dɪ də si /
especially British, candidature

noun

  • candidacies
    plural
  1. the fact or state of running for office or of seeking a position, title, degree, etc..

    She has announced her candidacy for the 51st seat in the Virginia House of Delegates.


Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

Etymology

Origin of candidacy

candid(ate) ( def. ) + -acy ( def. )

Explanation

Candidacy is the campaign journey someone undertakes to be elected to a position, like running for class president or trying out for a spot on the student council. If you were to officially declare that you were running for president or any other elected position, that is the start of your candidacy. This involves promoting your ideas, convincing others to vote for you, and participating in debates or discussions. Candidacy is a vital part of democratic processes, allowing people to present their qualifications and vision. Whether in school elections or national politics, candidacy is about showing why you’re the best person for the job.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Infantino stood unopposed when he was re-elected in 2019 and 2023 and if someone wants to battle him for the position, the deadline to announce their candidacy is 18 November.

From BBC Aug. 1, 2026

However, as Flavio Bolsonaro officially launched his candidacy on Saturday, a deepfake video of his father was screened at the Liberal Party convention.

From Barron's Jul. 29, 2026

Ugarte has benefited from nearly $1 million in independent expenditures, which differ from campaign contributions, with Airbnb contributing $302,000 to support his candidacy and the California Apartment Assn.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 28, 2026

But they aren’t extolling the candidacy of former military helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett, who is running to unseat a GOP congressman in New Jersey, or of retired Vice Adm.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 23, 2026

“Effective immediately, your candidacy for the Sons of the Six has ended. You are dismissed.”

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

They present their candidacies as opportunities to implement working-class-focused policies that would reduce government control and return power to ordinary residents.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 9, 2026

His rapid ascension is proof that in an era of intense load management, increasingly specialized bullpens and near-ubiquitious arm injuries, a massive shift is underway in how voters evaluate pitchers’ candidacies.

From The Wall Street Journal Jan. 17, 2026

Finance ministers from the 20 countries sharing the single currency had until Friday to submit their candidacies for the job.

From Barron's Nov. 28, 2025

Multiple opposition figures, including 2018 runner-up Maurice Kamto, as well as Joshua Osih, Akere Muna, and Cabral Libii, have also announced their candidacies.

From BBC Jul. 14, 2025

It seemed hardly more than one of the "favorite son" candidacies which every canvass knows in plenty.

From The Negro and the Nation A History of American Slavery and Enfranchisement by George Spring Merriam

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