Definition of candidates:
(n) :
A person who seeks to be elected or appointed to a position or privilege.
(n) :
(figurative) A person who is thought likely or worthy to gain a position or privilege.
(n) :
A participant in an examination.
(n) :
Someone or something likely or suited to undergo or be chosen for a purpose.
(n) :
(education) A student taking a degree who has finished the coursework but has other remaining requirements such as a dissertation.
(n) :
(education) The recipient of certain academic degrees, now mainly awarded in Scandinavia.